Cutting business ties with China would be ‘foolish’, Reeves says amid reports of US pressure

Chancellor supports economic ties with Beijing as she prepares to fly to US next week for trade deal talks

Rachel Reeves has dismissed the idea of economically disengaging from China, amid concerns the US may put pressure on the UK to limit its deals with Beijing.

The chancellor, who will discuss a trade deal with the US on a trip to Washington next week, said it would be very foolish" for Britain to have less involvement with Xi Jinping's administration.