China's Xi Jinping makes veiled 'imperative' dig at Donald Trump in address to Keir StarmerThe Chinese President told Keir Starmer the world was in a "turbulent and fluid" state, and said closer ties between the UK and China was "imperative" in a veiled dig at Donald TrumpView 3 Images K Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) ahead of a bilateral meeting during his visit to China, on January 29, 2026 in Beijing, China. (Image: Getty Images)Chinese President Xi Jinping appeared to make a subtle dig at US Presidents Donald Trump during a meeting with Keir Starmer in China. ‌Xi Jinping described the global situation as "turbulent and fluid", arguing that strengthened relations between the UK and China were "imperative", whether it was "for the sake of world peace and stability or for our two countries' economies and peoples". ‌His comments could be interpreted as a dig at Donald Trump's unpredictable presidency, given the US leader's frequent threats to impose tariffs on allies, , reports the Mirror. The Chinese Premier informed Mr Starmer that both men would "stand the test of history" if they managed to "rise above differences."