Peter Navarro said the UK ‘has been an all too compliant servant of the Chinese Communist Party’ Rob Crilly Chief US Correspondent 03 May 2025
Donald Trump's tariffs tsar has accused Britain of being a "compliant servant of communist China” at risk of having its “blood sucked” dry by Beijing.
Peter Navarro, the president’s trade adviser, said the Government must resist “string-laden gifts” from Beijing and avoid becoming a “dumping ground” for goods that China can no longer sell to the US.
In an intervention set to complicate trade negotiations between Britain and America, he told The Telegraph: “If the Chinese vampire can’t suck the American blood, it’s going to suck the UK blood and the EU blood.
“This is a very dangerous time for the world economies with respect to exposure to China.”
Like many in the Trump administration, Mr Navarro is suspicious of Chinese investment in British property and infrastructure, as well as its power in UK money markets.
He added: “And let’s face it, the UK has been an all too compliant servant of the Chinese Communist Party because of the string-laden gifts that China gives as a way of spreading its soft power.”
In an intervention set to complicate trade negotiations between Britain and America, he told The Telegraph: “If the Chinese vampire can’t suck the American blood, it’s going to suck the UK blood and the EU blood.
“This is a very dangerous time for the world economies with respect to exposure to China.”
Like many in the Trump administration, Mr Navarro is suspicious of Chinese investment in British property and infrastructure, as well as its power in UK money markets.
He added: “And let’s face it, the UK has been an all too compliant servant of the Chinese Communist Party because of the string-laden gifts that China gives as a way of spreading its soft power.”
Rachel Reeves has stressed the need for a stable and balanced relationship with China Credit: Aaron Favila/AFP
Rachel Reeves and David Lammy have both made high-profile visits to China in recent months as part of the Labour Government’s drive for what they call “pragmatic re-engagement” with Beijing.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Foreign Secretary have stressed the need for a stable, balanced relationship with China, something they say could add £1 billion to the UK economy over five years.
There are also fears that the Government might prioritise a deal with the EU, which they hope to agree at a summit on May 19, in a move that could make an agreement with America harder to strike.
Mr Navarro insisted that talks between America and the UK are progressing and added: “We are moving in Trump time, which is to say as swiftly as possible.”
Mr Navarro was the driving force behind the US’s sweeping tariffs designed to rebalance global commerce, isolate China and bring manufacturing back to American soil.
Shipments of Chinese goods to the US are already plunging after the White House slapped tariffs as high as 145 per cent on some products, leaving Beijing scrambling to find other markets.
“As the US tries to get fairness from the biggest cheater, China, the UK and the EU have to be very vigilant about becoming dumping grounds for the products that China would otherwise sell to America,” he told The Telegraph.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Foreign Secretary have stressed the need for a stable, balanced relationship with China, something they say could add £1 billion to the UK economy over five years.
There are also fears that the Government might prioritise a deal with the EU, which they hope to agree at a summit on May 19, in a move that could make an agreement with America harder to strike.
Mr Navarro insisted that talks between America and the UK are progressing and added: “We are moving in Trump time, which is to say as swiftly as possible.”
Mr Navarro was the driving force behind the US’s sweeping tariffs designed to rebalance global commerce, isolate China and bring manufacturing back to American soil.
Shipments of Chinese goods to the US are already plunging after the White House slapped tariffs as high as 145 per cent on some products, leaving Beijing scrambling to find other markets.
“As the US tries to get fairness from the biggest cheater, China, the UK and the EU have to be very vigilant about becoming dumping grounds for the products that China would otherwise sell to America,” he told The Telegraph.
Like many in the Trump administration, he fears the UK is particularly compromised.
Chinese retailer Shein is eyeing London for its controversial IPO and Rachel Reeves recently proclaimed the capital to be the “natural home” for China’s money.
“Beware of authoritarian mercantilist regimes bearing gifts,” Mr Navarro said.
The trade adviser holds a powerful position in Mr Trump’s White House. His big moment came on April 2 – dubbed “Liberation Day” – when the Trump administration slapped a baseline tariff of 10 per cent across trading partners, with increased levies on dozens more countries.
They were designed to cut America’s trade deficits and make companies think about moving factories back to US soil.
But, with markets roiling and the dollar under pressure, Mr Trump quickly announced a 90-day pause to allow trading nations to negotiate settlements.
First in line, say officials, are Asian nations that can help isolate China, such as India, South Korea and Japan.
“Beware of authoritarian mercantilist regimes bearing gifts,” Mr Navarro said.
The trade adviser holds a powerful position in Mr Trump’s White House. His big moment came on April 2 – dubbed “Liberation Day” – when the Trump administration slapped a baseline tariff of 10 per cent across trading partners, with increased levies on dozens more countries.
They were designed to cut America’s trade deficits and make companies think about moving factories back to US soil.
But, with markets roiling and the dollar under pressure, Mr Trump quickly announced a 90-day pause to allow trading nations to negotiate settlements.
First in line, say officials, are Asian nations that can help isolate China, such as India, South Korea and Japan.
Mr Navarro says the UK is particularly vulnerable to Xi Jinping’s government Credit: Stefan Rousseau/AFPThe UK is close behind. Its trade is almost balanced with the US, making a deal easier. And JD Vance, the vice president, has talked up the cultural and social similarities that will smooth the path to an agreement.
However, sticky issues remain, and Mr Navarro has spelt out all the other barriers to trade that need reform, from currency manipulation and export subsidies to what he calls “discriminatory” product standards.
For Sir Keir Starmer’s government, that could come down to a question of food standards. The UK does not currently allow hormone-treated beef or chlorine-washed chicken into the country, ruling out those imports from the US.
Mr Navarro said he could not discuss US-UK talks, other than guidance on what to expect if London did not soften its stance on food standards.
“That’s a British political issue. It’s not for us to resolve that kind of issue,” he said.
“It’s just that it comes with a cost. If the UK, or any entity around the world, wants to impose significantly higher tariff and non-tariff barriers to protect different sectors of their economy, the United States will no longer tolerate that.”
The economist, 75, has been warning American politicians about the threat from China for two decades.
He was one of the few officials to survive Mr Trump’s entire first term.
For Sir Keir Starmer’s government, that could come down to a question of food standards. The UK does not currently allow hormone-treated beef or chlorine-washed chicken into the country, ruling out those imports from the US.
Mr Navarro said he could not discuss US-UK talks, other than guidance on what to expect if London did not soften its stance on food standards.
“That’s a British political issue. It’s not for us to resolve that kind of issue,” he said.
“It’s just that it comes with a cost. If the UK, or any entity around the world, wants to impose significantly higher tariff and non-tariff barriers to protect different sectors of their economy, the United States will no longer tolerate that.”
The economist, 75, has been warning American politicians about the threat from China for two decades.
He was one of the few officials to survive Mr Trump’s entire first term.
Mr Navarro is one of Mr Trump’s closest advisers Credit: Andrew Harnik
Since then, he has cemented his credentials as the most loyal of loyalists.
Last year, he served a four-month prison term for refusing to give testimony to a congressional investigation into the Jan 6 attack on the US Capitol building.
He explained his survival at the heart of Trump world down to a simple philosophy.
“A singular focus on helping President Trump fulfil his vision,” he said.
“Never take the credit. Be willing to take the blame.”
In the current administration, he has tested his standing by needling Elon Musk, accusing the billionaire’s car company Tesla of relying on China for business.
Mr Musk, who describes himself as Mr Trump’s “first buddy”, dismissed Mr Navarro as “truly a moron” and compared him to a sack of bricks.
When presented with Mr Navarro’s comments, a Government spokesman told The Telegraph: “This Government will always take a clear-eyed and strategic approach to managing the UK’s relations with China.
“Our approach to international trade will remain to enhance the UK’s long term prosperity, while never compromising on economic and national security.”
特朗普貿易顧問納瓦羅刻意挑撥中英關係，英媒質疑：“脆弱且好戰”
Last year, he served a four-month prison term for refusing to give testimony to a congressional investigation into the Jan 6 attack on the US Capitol building.
He explained his survival at the heart of Trump world down to a simple philosophy.
“A singular focus on helping President Trump fulfil his vision,” he said.
“Never take the credit. Be willing to take the blame.”
In the current administration, he has tested his standing by needling Elon Musk, accusing the billionaire’s car company Tesla of relying on China for business.
Mr Musk, who describes himself as Mr Trump’s “first buddy”, dismissed Mr Navarro as “truly a moron” and compared him to a sack of bricks.
When presented with Mr Navarro’s comments, a Government spokesman told The Telegraph: “This Government will always take a clear-eyed and strategic approach to managing the UK’s relations with China.
“Our approach to international trade will remain to enhance the UK’s long term prosperity, while never compromising on economic and national security.”
特朗普貿易顧問納瓦羅刻意挑撥中英關係，英媒質疑：“脆弱且好戰”
m.163.com 2025-05-06 環球時報
【環球時報駐英國特約記者 紀雙城】美國總統貿易和製造業高級顧問納瓦羅日前在接受英國《每日電訊報》采訪時宣稱，英國為了吸引來自中國的投資，已經變得“順從”。他還警告英國不要深化與中國的貿易關係。英國媒體質疑納瓦羅這一言論，稱這“既顯示出脆弱性，也顯示出好戰性”。
據《每日電訊報》4日報道，納瓦羅宣稱英國放任北京將其經濟實力擴展到全球，抨擊英國與中國重新接觸的舉動。他還威脅說，在關稅談判期間，與中國的接觸將是“非常危險的”。針對英國尚未從美國進口氯洗雞，納瓦羅批評相關官員拒絕放寬食品標準的舉動，並表示這將以無法與美國達成貿易協議為代價。
英國《泰晤士報》稱，納瓦羅是美國總統特朗普“解放日”關稅政策的主要設計者之一，其對中國持負麵看法。他的言論引起了英國官員們的擔憂，因為他們正努力與歐盟和中國建立更緊密的貿易和投資關係，同時又希望不觸怒白宮。
在去年7月贏得大選之後，英國工黨政府一直在推動與北京重啟溝通。財政大臣裏夫斯和外交大臣拉米先後訪華，都強調與中國建立穩定、平衡關係的必要性。《每日電訊報》說，裏夫斯最近還表示，倫敦是中國資金的“天然家園”。
2025年1月11日，北京，英國財政大臣蕾切爾·裏夫斯在第十一次中英經濟財金對話上發言。（視覺中國）
對於納瓦羅的言論，英國政府發言人回應《每日電訊報》說：“本屆政府將始終以清晰的戰略眼光來處理英國與中國的關係。英國的國際貿易方針將繼續致力於促進英國的長期繁榮，同時絕不會損害經濟和國家安全。”
“英國不會對中國俯首稱臣，但世界舞台也並非美國一家獨大。”英國iNews網站刊登一篇以此為題的評論稱，納瓦羅在英國尋求與美國政府協商關稅問題的敏感時刻抨擊英國政府，此舉可能暗示，美國對英國及其歐洲盟友的敵意比美國總統迄今為止公開表態的更為根深蒂固。文章認為，納瓦羅可能耿耿於懷中國在英國仍擁有大量投資的現實——均富會計師事務所發布的一份報告顯示，到2023年，英國有970家公司實際上由中國所有，創造了超過5.9萬個就業崗位，收入超過1160億英鎊。該報告認為，中國企業對英國經濟做出了“巨大貢獻”。
文章稱，納瓦羅的言論表明，在這場貿易衝突中，美國存在弱點。縱使這些言論與美國政府一貫的強硬立場相符，但它們也在掩蓋一個事實：“由於特朗普和納瓦羅的關稅策略，全球貿易關係如今已岌岌可危。”文章寫道，納瓦羅或許希望看到英國政府為達成與美國的協議對中國采取更強硬的舉措，但這一幹預行為可能遭到來自美國國內的反對。
