Author: Lifestyle & Wellness Desk

Asian stocks fell on Friday amid renewed concerns over heavy investments in artificial intelligence, while gold and silver pulled back after hitting record highs. Oil prices also eased on hopes of a de-escalation in US-Iran tensions. Markets have experienced significant volatility this week as investors navigated a weaker dollar, renewed tariff warnings, potential US government shutdown risks, and geopolitical uncertainty. Optimism in the tech sector around AI had supported equities earlier, boosted by strong earnings reports from companies including Meta, Samsung, and SK hynix. However, sentiment was dented on Thursday after Microsoft reported a surge in AI infrastructure spending, raising concerns about the time it might take for firms to see returns on these investments. Analysts also cautioned that tech valuations could be stretched following a long rally. “Microsoft suffered its worst session since the COVID-era crash, falling 12 percent and accounting for over two-thirds of the S&P 500’s decline,” noted Rodrigo Catril of National Australia Bank, citing rising investment costs, slower growth in Azure cloud services, and a longer path to monetising AI. Wall Street closed mostly lower, with the Dow being the sole gainer. Asian markets also struggled amid speculation that US President Donald Trump may nominate former Fed governor Kevin Warsh—known for his hawkish stance on interest rates—as the next Federal Reserve Chair. Major Asian indices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, Sydney, Singapore, Taipei, and Bangkok all declined, while Seoul, Manila, and Wellington posted gains. European markets were mixed, with Paris flat following slower-than-expected growth in France, London opening lower, and Frankfurt rising. In Indonesia, Jakarta rebounded after a two-day sell-off triggered by MSCI concerns over market transparency. MSCI warned that if sufficient improvements were not made by May 2026, it could reduce Indonesia’s weighting in its Emerging Markets Indexes and potentially reclassify the country from Emerging Market to Frontier Market status. Gold eased to around $5,150 an ounce after reaching a peak above $5,595, while silver fell to $106 from over $121. Precious metals were also pressured by a slightly stronger dollar, despite recent weakness influenced by Trump’s comments supporting a lower dollar. Investors remain alert to developments in the Middle East after the US sent a naval presence to the region and issued warnings to Iran over nuclear negotiations. Crude contracts fell over 1 percent after spiking as much as 5 percent the previous day, reflecting ongoing fears of conflict in the oil-rich region, which could drive prices higher and increase inflationary pressures. In Washington, the US Senate moved closer to a vote on a funding bill to prevent a government shutdown after a standoff over immigration policy. Current federal funding is set to lapse at midnight Friday. Key figures: Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.1% at 53,322.85 Hong Kong – Hang Seng: DOWN 2.1% at 27,387.11 Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 1.0% at 4,117.95 London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.2% at 10,150.97 WTI crude: DOWN 1.7% at $64.32 per barrel Brent crude: DOWN 1.6% at $68.50 per barrel Euro/USD: DOWN at $1.1940 from $1.1962 Pound/USD: DOWN at $1.3781 from $1.3800 Dollar/Yen: UP at 153.74 from 153.04 Euro/Pound: DOWN at 86.63p from 86.67p New York – Dow: UP 0.1% at 49,071.56

Sir Keir Starmer’s visit to China this week signals a potential end to the diplomatic “ice age” that has characterised UK–China relations in recent years. Both leaders are facing domestic economic pressures and are exploring new opportunities for trade and investment. For Sir Keir, the first UK prime minister to visit China since Theresa May in 2018, the trip offered a platform to showcase British strengths in sectors such as finance, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, clean energy, and automotive manufacturing. President Xi Jinping sought to demonstrate that China remains a reliable partner for Western economies amid ongoing global trade tensions. While no comprehensive free trade agreement was reached, the visit marked a cautious but tangible reset of UK–China economic ties. Agreements covering visas, services, healthcare, green technology, and finance, combined with revived dialogue, could enhance access for British firms to Chinese markets and attract greater Chinese investment in the UK. Key agreements and deals AstraZeneca announced plans to invest $15 billion (£11 billion) in China over the next four years, expanding research and pharmaceutical manufacturing—its largest investment in the country to date. In the energy sector, British company Octopus Energy is entering the Chinese market through a partnership with local firm PCG Power, developing a digital platform for trading electricity. The project aims to improve efficiency in the power system and support China’s renewable energy expansion. The deal allows Octopus Energy to access China’s growing market for clean energy and digital trading solutions. China also agreed to halve tariffs on Scotch whisky, a move projected to generate £250 million for the UK economy over five years. Sir Keir described the reduction as “proof that pragmatic international engagement brings benefits at home,” highlighting whisky’s importance to Britain’s drinks sector, with exports exceeding £5 billion annually. Another outcome of the trip was visa-free travel for British citizens visiting China for up to 30 days for holidays or business, putting the UK on par with around 50 other countries. Both sides also committed to cooperate on disrupting migrant-smuggling networks, a key priority for the UK government. Benefits for China For Beijing, renewed ties with the UK signal that it remains a dependable partner for Western economies, despite US trade tensions. The reset ensures Chinese exporters of high-value goods, including electric vehicles, solar panels, and clean energy products, maintain access to the UK market, while also creating opportunities for Chinese investment in British services, finance, and green technology. Chinese media framed the visit as a step toward transforming the “potential of China–UK cooperation into tangible achievements” benefiting both countries. British firms highlighted the mutual benefits of expanded partnerships, including opportunities to deliver affordable, secure, and clean energy solutions to both markets. Challenges remain Foreign businesses continue to note challenges in operating in China, citing red tape, complex regulations, and limited transparency, which can complicate investment and create uncertainty. Despite these challenges, Sir Keir’s visit reflects a pragmatic approach to boosting economic growth while managing geopolitical risks. He has emphasised that the UK does not need to choose between Washington and Beijing, framing the reset as a way to strengthen domestic growth while balancing international relationships. At the UK–China Business Forum in Beijing, Sir Keir described his meetings with Xi as “very warm” and stressed the significance of agreements on visa-free travel and whisky tariffs, which provide British firms with enhanced access to the Chinese market and help build mutual trust and respect. The visit is part of a broader trend of European and Commonwealth leaders engaging with Beijing to diversify trade partners and secure new markets amid US trade unpredictability. Countries including France, Canada, and Finland are closely monitoring the deals the UK and others are negotiating with China to remain competitive in attracting investment and accessing the world’s second-largest economy.

Donald Trump described it as “very dangerous” for the UK to engage in business with China, as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer arrived in Shanghai on the third day of his visit to the country. The US president’s comments followed the announcement of agreements aimed at boosting trade and investment between the UK and China, made after Sir Keir’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Speaking at the premiere of a documentary about his wife Melania on Thursday, Trump referred to Xi as a “friend” and said he knew the Chinese president “very well.” UK Business Minister Sir Chris Bryant countered Trump’s warning, calling it “wrong” and describing it as “bonkers, frankly, for the UK to ignore China’s role on the world stage.” He added, “Of course, we engage with China with our eyes wide open.” Bryant also noted that Trump is scheduled to visit China in April. Downing Street stated that Washington had been informed in advance of Sir Keir’s trip and its objectives. At the Melania film premiere, a reporter asked Trump about UK-China business ties, to which he gave only brief remarks before pivoting to a warning about Canada. “It’s even more dangerous, I think, for Canada,” Trump said, adding that the country “is not doing well” and “you can’t look at China as the answer.” Earlier this week, Trump threatened tariffs on Canada over deals struck with China during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Beijing. Meanwhile, Sir Keir described the UK-China relationship as being in a “good, strong place” following his talks with Xi at the Great Hall of the People. “The meetings provided just the level of engagement we hoped for,” he said on Friday at the UK-China Business Forum in Beijing. “We warmly engaged and made real progress, because the UK has a huge amount to offer.” Several agreements emerged from Sir Keir’s visit, including visa-free travel arrangements, lower tariffs on UK whisky, and a £10.9 billion investment by AstraZeneca to build manufacturing facilities in China. Another agreement on tackling organised crime and illegal immigration will see the UK and China share intelligence to track people-smuggling networks, noting that inflatable dinghies used in small boat crossings often contain parts sourced from China. Other deals included cooperation to reduce red tape for UK exporters and collaboration on health challenges such as antimicrobial resistance. In 2025, the US was the UK’s largest single-country trading partner, with China ranking fourth, according to the Department for Business and Trade. Chris Torrens, chair of the British Chamber of Commerce in China, described Sir Keir’s visit as “successful” and said it made sense for the UK to engage China, one of its largest trading partners. He also noted that other Western leaders had recently visited Beijing or planned to do so, and highlighted that the US itself may conduct trade deals with China this year. Sir Keir arrived in Shanghai on Friday morning, concluding his China visit before traveling to Tokyo to meet Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi for a working dinner. The visit has drawn criticism from opposition MPs over potential risks to UK national security and concerns over Xi’s human rights record. China has faced UN accusations of serious human rights violations against Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim ethnic groups and has been criticised over the treatment of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who is facing life imprisonment. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp accused Sir Keir of “kowtowing to President Xi” and trading “national security for economic crumbs off the Chinese table.” Earlier this month, the government faced similar criticism for approving China’s plans for a large new embassy in central London. Security Minister Dan Jarvis said intelligence agencies were “integral” to that decision and confirmed that any associated risks were being appropriately managed.

Six members of Italy’s police and coastguard are set to stand trial on Friday over a 2023 shipwreck that claimed at least 94 migrant lives, accused of failing to intervene in time. The disaster off the southern Calabrian coast was Italy’s deadliest in a decade and drew criticism of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s hardline policies toward migrants arriving by boat from North Africa. Thirty-five children were among those killed when the vessel struck rocks near the tourist town of Cutro on February 26, 2023. Four officers from Italy’s Guardia di Finanza (GDF) financial crimes police and two coastguard members face charges of involuntary manslaughter and “culpable shipwreck,” a crime under Italian law for negligence leading to a shipwreck. The overcrowded boat had departed from Turkey carrying migrants from Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Syria. Approximately 80 passengers survived, while dozens of bodies washed ashore. Many coffins, brown for adults and white for children, were placed in a nearby sports hall. Authorities have said additional victims may never be found. The charges stem from a search-and-rescue operation that prosecutors say never took place, despite the vessel being tracked for hours. A Frontex aircraft had spotted the boat in distress roughly 38 kilometres from the coast and alerted Italian authorities. However, a GDF vessel dispatched to assist reportedly turned back due to rough weather, and the migrant boat ultimately capsized on the rocks. Prosecutors allege that the police failed to communicate critical information to the coastguard, while the coastguard did not obtain essential details from police that might have prompted a faster response. Liborio Cataliotti, the lawyer for defendant Alberto Lippolis of the GDF, said his client was “very calm” ahead of the trial. Lippolis, who oversaw the air and naval command centre from a different part of Calabria, is being held accountable for subordinates not providing sufficient information. All defendants operated from control centres distant from the shipwreck site. Charities involved in Mediterranean search-and-rescue operations, including SOS Humanity and Mediterranea Saving Humans, are civil parties to the case. They have argued that the tragedy highlights Meloni’s government policy of treating migrant boats as law enforcement issues rather than humanitarian emergencies. Judith Sunderland, acting deputy director for Europe and Central Asia at Human Rights Watch, said the trial concerns not only the individual officers but also “Italian state policies that prioritise deterring and criminalising asylum seekers and migrants over saving lives.” Following the tragedy, Meloni attributed responsibility primarily to human traffickers and announced stricter penalties for those causing migrant deaths. Two men accused of trafficking the migrants — a Turkish and a Syrian national — were sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2024. Later that year, two Pakistanis and a Turk were convicted for lesser roles in the journey, receiving sentences of 14 to 16 years. Around 66,000 migrants arrived in Italy last year, similar to 2024, down from over 157,000 in 2023. However, many continued to perish while attempting the crossing. The UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported at least 1,340 deaths in the central Mediterranean last year. Recently, the IOM expressed concern for more than 50 people missing after a shipwreck off Libya during Storm Harry, and one-year-old twin girls were reported missing after their boat encountered rough weather on a journey from Tunisia to Italy.

President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit on Thursday against the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS), seeking $10 billion over alleged leaked tax returns that he claims caused harm to his business. The lawsuit, filed by Trump in his personal capacity along with his two eldest sons, Eric and Donald Jr., and their family business, The Trump Organization, alleges that the IRS and the US Treasury Department “had a duty to safeguard and protect Plaintiffs’ confidential tax returns.” Trump’s tax returns were the subject of intense public scrutiny during his first term in office after he declined to release them as a candidate, breaking with longstanding precedent. According to the lawsuit, the tax documents were leaked to the press by Charles “Chaz” Littlejohn, a former IRS employee, between May 2019 and September 2020. “Defendants have caused Plaintiffs reputational and financial harm, public embarrassment, unfairly tarnished their business reputations, portrayed them in a false light, and negatively affected President Trump and the other Plaintiffs’ public standing,” the filing in Miami federal court stated. Littlejohn pleaded guilty in 2023 to releasing Trump’s tax returns and is serving a five-year sentence. Reports in September 2020 indicated that Trump, who had repeatedly declined to make his tax returns public, paid only $750 in federal income tax in 2016 and 2017 and none at all for 10 of the preceding 15 years. This is not the first time Trump has pursued legal action against the federal government. He previously sought $230 million from the US Department of Justice over investigations related to classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.

The Northern Ethnic Youth Group Assembly has called for the prosecution of politician and former African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore over the alleged leaking of video footage from an ongoing court proceeding involving the Department of State Services (DSS). The group accused Sowore of contempt of court and violating national security laws by allegedly circulating a video showing his lawyer cross-examining a DSS operative in a cyberbullying case filed against him by the agency. In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Alhaji Ibrahim Dan-Musa, the group described the leaked footage as “contempt of court, a mockery of our judicial system and, above all, a serious breach of national security.” The group claimed the video — allegedly leaked by Sowore — revealed the identity of a DSS operative, violating the National Security Agencies Act (1986) and the Official Secrets Act (1962). “In the United States, where Sowore lived for decades, revealing the identity of a secret service agent is a violation of the Intelligence Identities Protection Act and constitutes a serious crime,” the statement said. “In Nigeria, exposing the identity of a secret service operative who has sworn an oath of secrecy is a breach of both the National Security Agencies Act (1986) and the Official Secrets Act of 1962,” it added. According to the group, Sowore and his legal team should have been aware of the seriousness of their actions. While he is currently standing trial for alleged cyberbullying, the leaked footage could expose him to additional criminal liability. “Sowore and his lawyer should have known better. By leaking footage that reveals a DSS operative, he could now face prosecution under the National Security Agencies Act (1986) and the Official Secrets Act (1962),” the statement read. The group further emphasised that ignorance of the law is not a defence. “DSS personnel are bound by a strict oath of secrecy to protect national security, official documents, and classified information — which is why the agency is sometimes referred to as ‘secret police,’” it said. It added that violations of these laws carry severe penalties. “The punishment for breaching these laws includes up to 20 years’ imprisonment, as well as fines and asset forfeiture,” the statement noted. The group also urged the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Mohammed Umar, to treat the matter as direct contempt of court and impose appropriate sanctions. “This disrespectful conduct must not go unaddressed. We respectfully urge the court to impose appropriate sanctions on the defendant, who attempted to turn the chambers of the court into a spectacle,” the group said. “It is important to send a clear message that Nigeria’s judicial system must be respected.” The video clip, approximately 12 minutes long, has since gone viral on social media. It shows Sowore’s lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, cross-examining a DSS operative, capturing objections raised by counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), as well as a ruling by the trial judge. Attempts to obtain responses from Sowore or his lawyer were unsuccessful, as neither had replied to calls or messages at the time of filing this report.

President Bola Tinubu has launched a 10-year, $250 million initiative aimed at restoring livelihoods and empowering Nigerians displaced by floods and other climate-related disasters. The programme, called the Climate-Resilient Livelihoods Empowerment Programme for Displaced Populations (CLEP4DPS), was announced during his opening remarks at a special event on climate-induced mobility, held under Nigeria’s chairmanship of the Rabat Process. The gathering brought together global leaders and development partners to explore the links between climate change, migration, security, and development. According to a statement on Wednesday by Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, President Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, explained that the programme will focus on long-term empowerment rather than short-term relief. The CLEP4DPS will support displaced persons through initiatives in climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy entrepreneurship, climate data and digital employment, green value chains, as well as dedicated leadership tracks for women and youth. “The programme is built on the premise that economic empowerment is a critical form of climate adaptation,” the President said, highlighting a shift from temporary humanitarian responses to people-centred solutions that strengthen resilience and protect human dignity. He added that the programme complements other government interventions under the Renewed Hope Agenda, including the Global Flood Disaster Management Project, which focuses on early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, disaster coordination, and community engagement. He also noted ongoing support for displaced families through targeted relief, resettlement initiatives, and the Resettlement City Project, which provides planned communities with access to basic services and livelihood support. Describing climate change as a major driver of human mobility, Tinubu stressed that for Nigeria, climate-induced displacement is a lived reality. He cited the 2022 floods, which affected over 4.4 million people and displaced roughly 2.4 million across more than 30 states, as well as recurrent flooding, coastal erosion, desertification, and environmental degradation in areas like the Lake Chad Basin. These factors, he noted, have undermined livelihoods and forced communities to migrate. Calling for stronger international collaboration, the President emphasized that climate-induced mobility is a global challenge requiring inclusive partnerships, evidence-based policymaking, and sustained dialogue within frameworks like the Rabat Process. He expressed gratitude to partners including Switzerland, the European Union, and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development, hoping the engagement would translate into actionable initiatives linking climate action, migration governance, and sustainable development.

The founder and General Superintendent of Deeper Life Christian Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, has expressed confidence that God’s glory will be powerfully revealed during the Global Crusade with Kumuyi 2026 in Uyo, noting the remarkable display of active and creative faith in the state. Kumuyi shared his thoughts while speaking with journalists on Tuesday during a media briefing ahead of the crusade, themed ‘Fresh Anointing for a New Beginning,’ which commenced on Wednesday in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State. “When I observe faith through the actions of the people, I see something exceptional here,” he said. “I have ministered across Nigeria—in the North, South, and East—as well as other parts of Africa, including East and North Africa. But in Akwa Ibom, the level of active faith is truly impressive.” He added, “Seeing this faith, there is no doubt in my heart that all the miracles we have witnessed before will manifest here, reflecting the proactive and creative faith I observe in Akwa Ibom.” Kumuyi also highlighted the transformative impact of the Global Crusade in other locations, citing stories of healing and deliverance. “Across other regions, we have witnessed countless miracles: lives transformed, diseases healed, lepers cleansed. We have seen deliverance from insanity and demonic oppression, complete healing, and restoration of the blind and deaf. Even conditions like elephantiasis have been reversed instantly.” He further expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, urging citizens to place their trust in God. “The situation in this country can change if we believe. This crusade focuses on anointing, and anointing breaks the yoke,” he said.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has placed two agents on administrative leave following the fatal shooting of an American citizen in Minneapolis. Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, was killed on Saturday, prompting protests across Minnesota and nationwide, as well as bipartisan calls from lawmakers for the removal of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary. A preliminary DHS report to Congress stated that two officers discharged their firearms during a struggle with Pretti. Earlier official accounts suggested Pretti had brandished a gun. CBP has not specified when the agents were placed on leave or how long they will remain off duty. The agency told media that the move followed standard protocol, which generally places federal law-enforcement officers on leave while a shooting is investigated. Previously, CBP Commander Gregory Bovino had said the officers were reassigned to another city. New footage shared by News Movement shows Pretti in an altercation with federal agents 11 days prior to his death. The video depicts Pretti shouting at officers, gesturing aggressively, and kicking a car’s taillight, before being wrestled to the ground by agents. A gun is visible in his waistband. Pretti’s family lawyer, Steve Schleicher, told CBS News: “A week before Alex was killed, despite posing no threat, he was violently confronted by ICE agents. Nothing from that week could justify his death on January 24.” The ICE agent involved in the earlier shooting of Renee Good, also in Minneapolis on January 7, was placed on administrative leave pending investigation. President Donald Trump stated his intention to “de-escalate” tensions in Minneapolis, where DHS has been conducting Operation Metro Surge since December 1. However, he clashed with Minneapolis officials, including Mayor Jacob Frey, who confirmed the city would maintain its sanctuary policies and would not enforce federal immigration laws. Trump responded on Truth Social, warning that Frey’s stance was “a very serious violation of the Law” and “PLAYING WITH FIRE.” Representative Ilhan Omar, who has also called for federal immigration officers to leave the city, blamed Trump for a recent attack on her at a public event, in which a man allegedly squirted a substance at her. Police have charged the suspect with third-degree assault; reports suggest the syringe contained apple cider vinegar. DHS has reported over 3,000 arrests of undocumented immigrants in Minnesota as part of Operation Metro Surge, including individuals with violent or criminal backgrounds. The operation, the largest of its kind to date, is part of Trump’s broader effort to crack down on illegal immigration, deploying DHS agents and National Guard members to multiple US cities. These actions have sparked protests and legal challenges in Democratic-led jurisdictions like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland. A federal judge in Minneapolis recently ordered the release of all refugees detained by immigration agents while awaiting residency documents and the return of refugees removed from the state. Judge John Tunheim noted that refugees “are not committing crimes on our streets” and emphasized that the US has been “a haven of individual liberties.” Following Pretti’s death, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem accused him of “domestic terrorism” and claimed he was armed. However, BBC Verify analysis found no evidence of a gun in Pretti’s hand. According to the DHS preliminary report, two CBP agents fired their weapons during a struggle after one shouted that Pretti had a gun—a detail that differs from earlier administration accounts, which described the shooting as defensive. Internal ICE guidance now instructs officers in Minnesota to avoid engaging with “agitators” and to focus only on immigrants with criminal histories. Lawmakers from both parties have called for Noem and White House immigration adviser Stephen Miller to be removed. Senior House Democrats have threatened to begin impeachment proceedings against Noem unless she resigns or is dismissed. Congressional members are also considering withholding DHS funding in upcoming spending legislation, which must be passed before a potential government shutdown on February 1.

Britain’s Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has become the latest Western leader to move toward warmer trade relations with China, a shift analysts attribute to pressure from US tariffs and uncertainty surrounding Donald Trump’s unpredictable policy approach. Starmer’s visit to Beijing this week, aimed at promoting what he described as “pragmatic” cooperation, follows similar outreach by leaders of Canada, Ireland, France and Finland. For many of them, it was their first trip to China in years, as they seek to reset ties with the world’s second-largest economy. According to Hosuk Lee-Makiyama, director of the European Centre for International Political Economy, there is intense competition among European leaders to secure meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He said the push is driven by rivalry to attract investment and gain market access ahead of anticipated China–US summits scheduled for February and April. China is not the only option Western countries are exploring. On Tuesday, India and the European Union announced a major trade agreement after two decades of negotiations, reflecting efforts to diversify trade partnerships amid a strained global environment. Vietnam and the EU also pledged on Thursday to deepen cooperation in trade, technology and security. However, Lee-Makiyama noted that emerging markets such as India, Vietnam and South American economies are too small to absorb the export volumes of Europe’s highly trade-dependent economies. As a result, he said, European countries are effectively compelled to engage China, despite ongoing concerns about its human rights record and allegations of economic coercion. He added that global economic growth is largely driven by the United States and China, pointing out that the US is showing little sign of opening up its markets. Trump’s aggressive and unpredictable tariff policies, analysts argue, have raised doubts about the reliability of the United States as a long-term trading partner. William Alan Reinsch of the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies said Trump’s trade approach has contributed to the renewed momentum behind deals such as the EU–India free trade agreement, suggesting that US policies may have inadvertently pushed negotiations over the line after years of delay. During his meeting with Xi on Thursday, Starmer said it was “vital” for Britain to strengthen its relationship with China, a view echoed by the Chinese leader, who stressed the importance of closer ties amid growing geopolitical uncertainty. Britain and China previously enjoyed what was described as a “Golden Era” in their relations about a decade ago, but ties worsened after Beijing imposed a national security law on Hong Kong in 2020. Despite this, China remains the UK’s third-largest trading partner, and Starmer’s government is keen to stimulate economic growth. The European Union is also seeking closer engagement with China but remains concerned about the significant trade imbalance, with a deficit exceeding $350 billion in China’s favour. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin advocated for open trade during talks with Xi in early January, while French President Emmanuel Macron criticised the imbalance during his visit to Beijing in December. China and India are likewise adjusting to the impact of US tariffs aimed at boosting American manufacturing. Speaking at the World Economic Forum this month, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng criticised protectionist policies, warning against a global order where powerful nations act solely in their own interests. In some cases, US trade pressure has intensified. Trump has threatened additional tariffs, including a proposed 100 per cent levy on Canadian goods if Ottawa deepens trade ties with Beijing. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, during a visit to China this month, announced what he described as a new strategic partnership and a preliminary trade agreement to reduce tariffs. Under the deal, China is expected to cut tariffs on Canadian canola products to about 15 per cent from the current 84 per cent, while Canada would import 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles at a preferential tariff rate. Vina Nadjibulla, vice-president of research and strategy at APF Canada, said Carney’s visit signalled a new approach by Ottawa in navigating a more fragmented and uncertain global landscape. However, she cautioned that the move could be misread as a weakening of Canada’s stance on national and economic security concerns linked to China. Reinsch predicted that the growing number of trade agreements excluding the United States could leave it at a disadvantage over time, noting that the deals themselves remain conventional. He said negotiations focused on lowering tariffs and reducing non-tariff barriers reflect long-standing global trade practices rather than a radical shift in approach.