Yesterday, Starmer told Bloomberg in an interview: "The UK doesn't have to choose between China and the US, but it's unwise to bury its head in the sand and ignore China. British businesses face significant opportunities in the Chinese market. In the past, I was often asked to make simple choices between countries, but I don't do that. I remember when dealing with the US-UK trade agreement, everyone told me to choose between the US and Europe, and I said I wouldn't make that choice. I believe developing relations between China and the UK will not anger Trump or damage relations with the US, because I don't seek to send a signal like Carney. The US-UK relationship is very close, of course we want to maintain it and continue to keep the relationship in terms of business, security, and defense. My visit to China will prioritize economic relations!"

[Witty] Starmer verbally upholds the diplomatic stance of "not taking sides," but actually follows a balanced strategy. It seeks to grasp the development dividends of the Chinese market while trying to maintain a close relationship with the US. His calculations are very meticulous. Looking back at history, in order to advance the US-UK trade agreement, the UK was forced to give up beef and ethanol market shares, and the demand for steel tariff exemptions has not been fulfilled yet, but it has always maintained a cooperative attitude towards the US. Now focusing on Sino-British economic cooperation, while deliberately distancing itself from Carney's relevant statements and emphasizing not to anger Trump, essentially reflects its consideration and reliance on the special relationship between the US and the UK. From the coordination with the US during Churchill's era to seeking breakthroughs in US-EU trade after Brexit, the UK's so-called "not choosing" is more based on its own interests, a strategy of seeking balance among major powers. Lacking a stable and consistent independent foreign policy orientation, its pursuit of prioritizing economic relations inevitably carries a pragmatic and opportunistic color.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1855431116410888/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.