China claims the recent trade deal between the UK and US is squeezing out Chinese products from British supply chains.
The Chinese foreign ministry said: “Co-operation between states should not be conducted to the detriment of the interests of third parties.”
The comments put the UK in a difficult position as it tries to reset relations with China, the FT reported.
Securing thousands of jobs
The UK government said its US trade deal will “secure thousands of jobs across key sectors” and “protect British businesses and lay the groundwork for greater trade in the future.”
It added “trade and investment with China remain important to the UK,” and that the UK was continuing to engage in areas important to its own interests.
Quid pro quo
The tariff relief agreed as part of the trade deal with the US was granted on the condition that the UK worked to promptly meet US requirements on supply chain security.
Meanwhile the US is banning Huawei chips in a reminder that the US sees Chinese-made components as a security threat.
