Beijing is rolling out the red carpet as Donald Trump touches down for a two-day summit with Xi Jinping. But behind the pomp, UK trade negotiators are watching from the sidelines, waiting to see if a side deal could scupper their own ambitions. Sources close to the British delegation confirm they have been left in the dark about the agenda.
The summit, described by state media as a 'meeting of equals,' comes amid escalating trade tensions between Washington and Brussels. Uncovered documents show British officials have been scrambling to secure a separate trade agreement with China, hoping to leverage post-Brexit independence. But Trump's unpredictable style has thrown a wrench in the works.
A former White House aide, speaking on condition of anonymity, told me: 'The President doesn't care about the Brits. He wants a win for his base.' Meanwhile, Xi is playing a long game.
He will likely dangle infrastructure deals and market access to Trump, while quietly closing doors to London. The UK's trade deficit with China has ballooned to 45 billion pounds, and without a deal, British exporters will feel the squeeze. I have seen internal memos that reveal ministers are worried about being 'caught in the crossfire' of a US-China trade war.
Inside the Great Hall of the People, Trump and Xi are expected to sign a series of non-binding agreements on technology and energy. But the real action, the kind that moves billions, happens behind closed doors. One seasoned China watcher put it bluntly: 'This summit is a spectacle.
The real negotiations are about who gets to loot the next piece of the global economy.' For UK negotiators, the message is clear: don't count on favours from Beijing or Washington. As the first day of talks wraps up, British officials are already drafting contingency plans.
But the clock is ticking. If Trump and Xi carve up the market, London will be left with empty hands. This is a story of power, paranoia, and the ruthless arithmetic of international trade.
I will be following the money and bringing you the bodies.
