UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is visiting China with a delegation of British businesses to improve trade relations. This is the first visit since Theresa May’s 2018 China trip, but experts warn that reaching a major trade deal looks unlikely. The trip focuses on trade and investment, with Starmer stating it is not about competing with the US. The delegation includes the chancellor Rachel Reeves, business secretary Peter Kyle, Rolls-Royce, and several financial firms. One key issue is ensuring China supports British Steel in Scunthorpe, which the UK government took over last year to stop closure by the Chinese firm Jingye. Experts say the expected outcomes are modest, perhaps just some memorandums of understanding in financial services and possible investments in the auto sector. Andrew Small, director of the Asia programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations, says economic gains are very limited due to China’s slowing economy and rising risks. Trade data shows the UK’s trade deficit with China has risen from £17 billion in 2018 to £42 billion by mid-2025. China uses trade to push foreign policy goals and has introduced import bans and export limits as part of a strategic approach. Foreign firms face pressures, as seen in cases involving Google, Nvidia, and car chip exports. Sam Goodman, senior policy director at the China Strategic Risks Institute, warns China treats foreign businesses as tools in its political games. Starmer’s visit, while aimed at economic benefits, faces the challenge of this complex and sometimes risky China-UK relationship.