Rachel Reeves calls for Britain to forge closer ties with Beijing

Story by Tom Lawrence

• 4h

It would be 'very foolish' for Britain to disengage with China, Rachel Reeves has said as she attempts to draw a line in the sand with the US over their treatment of Beijing.

The Chancellor told The Telegraph she wanted to look for a deeper partnership with China, rather than creating new barriers.

She added that she would be happy to ride in Chinese-made electric vehicles and has backed fast fashion brand Shein floating on the London stock market.

It comes amid calls to block Chinese companies from running vital industries, after Chinese company Jingye moved to close two blast furnaces in Scunthorpe.

Instead of pushing China away, Ms Reeves is now determined to build bridges following the row that erupted after the government took control of British Steel.

The move puts the Chancellor at odds with the United States and President Trump, ahead of a trip to Washington next week for talks on a US-UK trade deal.

Since Labour took office, Ms Reeves alongside Ed Miliband, David Lammy and Douglas Alexander have all visited China.

Sir Keir became the first Prime Minister in years to hold a phone call with Chinese premier Xi Jinping shortly after he took office and it is understood a visit by the Labour leader could be on the cards in the future

A meeting between the two countries in January in Beijing, where it was agreed that Ms Reeves will host He Lifeng, the Chinese vice-premier, in London.

Rachel Reeves calls for Britain to forge closer ties with Beijing