Peter Navarro, the controversial trade adviser who pushed former U.S. President Donald Trump to implement sweeping global tariffs, has launched a scathing attack on Sir Keir Starmer and the
UK government, accusing Britain of being overly submissive to China.
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Navarro labeled the UK a “compliant servant of communist China” and claimed the country risked being drained economically by Beijing. He warned: “If the Chinese vampire can’t suck the American blood, it’s going to suck the UK blood and the EU blood.”
However, sources close to the Trump administration dismissed Navarro’s comments as extreme. One adviser told The Independent: “Navarro is crazy and most people in the White House see him as a dangerous influence on the president.”
Despite Donald Trump’s generally positive remarks about his relationship with the UK and Sir Keir Starmer, Britain was still hit with U.S. tariffs under Navarro’s guidance — including a 10% levy on general exports and 25% on automobile products.
Tensions between Washington and London have been further inflamed by vocal criticism from key Trump allies. Vice President JD Vance and Elon Musk have accused Britain of undermining free speech, claims that could complicate a future UK-U.S. trade deal.
There’s also unease over senior UK officials' ties to China. Lord Peter Mandelson, recently appointed ambassador to the U.S., faced criticism due to his past business dealings with Beijing, which nearly led to his credentials being rejected. Additionally, visits to China by UK ministers — including Chancellor Rachel Reeves — have sparked concern in U.S. political circles.
Navarro has repeatedly warned that after being blocked by American tariffs, China could try to offload surplus products like steel onto UK and EU markets. “The UK and the EU have to be very vigilant about becoming dumping grounds,” he said.
The UK’s relationship with China has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years. Efforts to attract Chinese investment into critical sectors such as nuclear energy and the 5G network have been controversial. The issue was thrust into the spotlight when the British government passed emergency legislation to take control of British Steel from a Chinese firm poised to shut down its Scunthorpe plant.
Downing Street has not commented on Navarro’s remarks. Photo by The White House, Wikimedia commons.