The Trump administration is right. We are too close to China

Critique of UK's China Policy

The article strongly criticizes the UK's approach to China, highlighting its perceived inadequacy in protecting national interests. It references Peter Navarro's warning against UK's economic dependence on China, echoing similar concerns raised in a 2023 parliamentary report that detailed failures in UK's China policy.

Government's Response and Shortcomings

The government's response, characterized as anodyne, is deemed insufficient to address the concerns raised by the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC). The article points out the lack of concrete action to protect UK sovereign interests and criticizes the government's vague 'cooperate, compete, challenge' mantra as meaningless.

Examples of Policy Failures

Several instances are cited to illustrate the weaknesses of UK's China policy. These include:

• The delay in banning Huawei from 5G networks until pressured by the US.
• The failure to effectively address Chinese economic sabotage against British Steel.
• The continued importation of goods produced using Uyghur slave labor.
• The perceived weakness in diplomatic engagements with China, exemplified by the Foreign Secretary's attempts to raise concerns about Hong Kong and the Prime Minister's meeting with Xi Jinping.

Conclusion: Need for a Stronger China Policy

The article concludes that the UK's current three-Cs policy is wishful thinking and that a more robust, strategic approach is necessary to address the challenges posed by China. It emphasizes the need for a comprehensive China policy that effectively protects UK interests and values in the face of China's assertive actions on the global stage.