Does Britain Need China?

My new article for The Spectator

Hello and welcome back to What China Wants.

The British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, is flying off to Beijing for a three day visit to drum up interest in a deeper economic relationship. A considerable change in policy than under Rishi Sunak, the trip comes at a time when Ms Reeves is under considerable strain for what her opponents say is the mishandling of the economy, with zero growth since the government came into power and a crash of business confidence. Maybe she can find economic solace in the Far East?

The theory goes that the UK needs China - the world’s second largest economy - to help support its flagging economy. In my latest article for The Spectator, I use the data to challenge this assertion.

My analysis will most likely be to the chagrin of pro-Beijing businesspeople like Sherard Cowper-Coles of HSBC, who was on UK radio recently championing closer Anglo-Chinese ties. But it is important for the British government to note that while the People’s Republic is an important trade partner, it is not a dominant one (the US is by far our largest ). It is also one of our more risky economic bets given the geopolitical situation. We have, I argue, far better places to look around the world.

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/does-britain-need-china/

I’ll be back soon with a few geopolitical predictions for 2025. Plus, I have another new research paper coming out in the next week or two, showing how connectivity between Europe and Asia is already compromised for the Western Alignment: the 52nd Meridian Challenge. More to follow…

Thanks for reading.

Sam