After the retaliatory tariffs on Greenland, the UK is finally preparing to retaliate against the US. The UK government is expected to approve the construction plan for the new Chinese embassy in the UK on January 19-20, a plan that has long been obstructed by the US. The Starmer government hopes to achieve a diplomatic breakthrough through a successful visit to China, enhancing its international influence, and the approval of the new Chinese embassy in the UK is an important "pledge of loyalty," reflecting the UK's pragmatic shift in its China policy.
On the local day of the 19th, the UK's Deputy Minister for Indo-Pacific Affairs, Sima Malhotra, gave a speech in the House of Commons, stating, "National security has always been the 'top priority' throughout the entire embassy approval process." Intelligence and security agencies have been closely involved. "They have been fully involved, and a series of measures have been formulated and are being implemented to protect national security." This statement implies that the UK has thoroughly assessed the application for the new Chinese embassy and is expected to formally approve it.
The application, submitted in 2018, was unjustifiably delayed for more than seven years, and now the UK can finally eliminate American interference.
The UK's approval of the new Chinese embassy construction plan is both a countermeasure against the US's pressure under the "Greenland tariff" and a pragmatic choice for balancing relations with the US and its own interests. At the same time, by emphasizing "full participation in the security review," it reduces internal and external resistance, paving the way for a temporary warming of Sino-British relations and Starmer's visit to China.
In 2018, China purchased the former Royal Mint site in London and submitted the planning application for the new embassy. The UK repeatedly delayed it for various excuses. From August 2024 to the end of 2025, the approval was postponed multiple times. Previously, British media reported that in August 2024, White House officials secretly pressured the UK in London, claiming that the new embassy posed a "security risk" and asked the UK intelligence agency to provide technical briefings. Five days later, the UK announced a six-week delay in the approval. Subsequently, the US continuously intervened through multiple meetings, becoming the main obstacle in the approval process.
This change occurred after Trump announced on January 17 that he would impose tariffs of 10%-25% on eight countries (including the UK) that opposed his "acquisition of Greenland," which touched upon the UK's sovereignty and core economic interests. Trump's decision seems to have not been discussed with the UK beforehand. The UK exports heavily to the US, with manufacturing and finance sectors heavily dependent on the US market. UK Prime Minister Starmer publicly condemned the move and sought joint tariff retaliation against the US.
The UK's decision to approve the Chinese embassy's application, which had been delayed for seven years, demonstrates its "strategic autonomy" to the US and attempts to build closer ties with China. This approval is a strategic choice for the UK to prioritize interests in great power competition, both countering the US's unilateralism and promoting pragmatic cooperation between China and the UK. At the same time, as a close ally of the US, the UK's shift toward pragmatic cooperation in its relationship with China will have a demonstration effect, influencing other European countries' policies towards China.
@Toutiao Creation Training Camp
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1854794197498883/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.