The New York Times: In Beijing, Starmer and Xi Seek a Way Around a Volatile U.S.

A Hedge Against an Unpredictable United States

Western middle powers like Britain, feeling increasingly alienated by the United States, are now looking to hedge their economic interests by rebalancing toward China, analysts said.

“For the past few years, companies were diversifying and de-risking from China. Now, they are doing so from the United States,” said Steve Okun, head of APAC Advisors, a geopolitical consulting firm.

Mr. Xi offered a thinly veiled critique of the current U.S. trade posture in his meeting with Mr. Starmer. He warned that “unilateralism, protectionism and power politics have been rampant.” He argued that major powers had an obligation to lead the world away from returning to the “law of the jungle,” a pointed swipe at the Trump administration’s unilateral use of tariffs.

Read the Full Article Here!