US allies are resetting relations with China amid Trump pressure

Several Western leaders, including Canada’s prime minister and the UK’s prime minister, have recently visited Beijing and reached trade and cooperation agreements. Some U.S. officials have publicly warned these moves could complicate unity with Washington.

Western leaders have recently increased one-on-one engagement with China and announced a series of trade and cooperation measures. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Beijing and reached a trade agreement affecting electric vehicles and farm exports. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer also visited and discussed a strategic partnership with Chinese leaders. These visits come as the United States under President Donald Trump has had public clashes with allies over tariffs and other disputes. Key developments: - Chinese President Xi Jinping met with leaders from Canada, the UK, Finland and several other countries in recent weeks as part of a push to deepen ties. - Canada's visit resulted in a deal that cut tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and adjusted import terms for Canadian farm products, described by officials as making the relationship more predictable. - In Beijing, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Xi discussed a strategic partnership and announced measures including lower Chinese tariffs on Scotch whisky and 30-day visa-free travel for some British visitors. - Some U.S. officials and lawmakers publicly warned that closer ties between allies and China could complicate coordinated Western policy; President Trump described such visits as "very dangerous" in comments reported by the article. - The article reports that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to visit Beijing next month and that President Trump is expected to visit in April. Summary: These developments reflect a recalibration by several Western governments toward more direct engagement with China for economic and diplomatic reasons. Observers and some officials say the moves could complicate coordinated Western policy toward China, and U.S. leaders have publicly signaled concern. Upcoming visits by Germany's chancellor and by President Trump were reported as expected in the coming weeks.