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.”
特朗普贸易顾问纳瓦罗刻意挑拨中英关系，英媒质疑：“脆弱且好战”
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.”
特朗普贸易顾问纳瓦罗刻意挑拨中英关系，英媒质疑：“脆弱且好战”
m.163.com 2025-05-06 环球时报
【环球时报驻英国特约记者 纪双城】美国总统贸易和制造业高级顾问纳瓦罗日前在接受英国《每日电讯报》采访时宣称，英国为了吸引来自中国的投资，已经变得“顺从”。他还警告英国不要深化与中国的贸易关系。英国媒体质疑纳瓦罗这一言论，称这“既显示出脆弱性，也显示出好战性”。
据《每日电讯报》4日报道，纳瓦罗宣称英国放任北京将其经济实力扩展到全球，抨击英国与中国重新接触的举动。他还威胁说，在关税谈判期间，与中国的接触将是“非常危险的”。针对英国尚未从美国进口氯洗鸡，纳瓦罗批评相关官员拒绝放宽食品标准的举动，并表示这将以无法与美国达成贸易协议为代价。
英国《泰晤士报》称，纳瓦罗是美国总统特朗普“解放日”关税政策的主要设计者之一，其对中国持负面看法。他的言论引起了英国官员们的担忧，因为他们正努力与欧盟和中国建立更紧密的贸易和投资关系，同时又希望不触怒白宫。
在去年7月赢得大选之后，英国工党政府一直在推动与北京重启沟通。财政大臣里夫斯和外交大臣拉米先后访华，都强调与中国建立稳定、平衡关系的必要性。《每日电讯报》说，里夫斯最近还表示，伦敦是中国资金的“天然家园”。
2025年1月11日，北京，英国财政大臣蕾切尔·里夫斯在第十一次中英经济财金对话上发言。（视觉中国）
对于纳瓦罗的言论，英国政府发言人回应《每日电讯报》说：“本届政府将始终以清晰的战略眼光来处理英国与中国的关系。英国的国际贸易方针将继续致力于促进英国的长期繁荣，同时绝不会损害经济和国家安全。”
“英国不会对中国俯首称臣，但世界舞台也并非美国一家独大。”英国iNews网站刊登一篇以此为题的评论称，纳瓦罗在英国寻求与美国政府协商关税问题的敏感时刻抨击英国政府，此举可能暗示，美国对英国及其欧洲盟友的敌意比美国总统迄今为止公开表态的更为根深蒂固。文章认为，纳瓦罗可能耿耿于怀中国在英国仍拥有大量投资的现实——均富会计师事务所发布的一份报告显示，到2023年，英国有970家公司实际上由中国所有，创造了超过5.9万个就业岗位，收入超过1160亿英镑。该报告认为，中国企业对英国经济做出了“巨大贡献”。
文章称，纳瓦罗的言论表明，在这场贸易冲突中，美国存在弱点。纵使这些言论与美国政府一贯的强硬立场相符，但它们也在掩盖一个事实：“由于特朗普和纳瓦罗的关税策略，全球贸易关系如今已岌岌可危。”文章写道，纳瓦罗或许希望看到英国政府为达成与美国的协议对中国采取更强硬的举措，但这一干预行为可能遭到来自美国国内的反对。
