China has expressed strong opposition to a recent UK-US trade agreement, warning that the deal may be used to marginalize Chinese products and undermine China’s position in global supply chains. The criticism, reported by the Financial Times, reflects growing concerns in Beijing that Western alliances are increasingly being shaped by efforts to reduce dependence on Chinese goods, particularly in sectors deemed strategically sensitive.
The agreement, reached last week, reportedly includes provisions aimed at enhancing supply chain resilience and strengthening economic security—language that some analysts interpret as code for limiting exposure to Chinese components in key industries such as semiconductors, critical minerals, and clean technologies.
While details of the pact have not been made fully public, China’s Foreign Ministry reacted sharply, emphasizing that “co-operation between states should not be conducted against or to the detriment of the interests of third parties.” The remarks suggest that Beijing sees the agreement not just as an economic pact, but as part of a broader geopolitical alignment aimed at countering China’s influence.
The criticism comes amid a broader global trend of economic de-risking and “friend-shoring,” particularly among the G7 and NATO-aligned countries, which have expressed growing concern over China’s trade practices, human rights record, and national security posture. In response, China has pushed back against what it views as a containment strategy, accusing the West of weaponizing trade and technology.
This development adds to an already tense atmosphere in global trade diplomacy, where strategic competition is increasingly shaping economic policy and decisions.
