In ⁠Washington, however, replying to questions about the closer ties, Trump said, "Well, it's very dangerous for ‍them to do that." Because of his country's long history of working closely with the United States, Britain could continue to strengthen economic ties with China without angering Trump, Starmer told reporters on the airplane en route to China. "The relationship we have with the United States is one of the closest ... we hold," he said, enumerating areas such as defense, security, intelligence and trade. Asked if Trump would threaten Britain with tariffs as he did Canada, Lutnick said, "I think ‌Canada played things a little differently. "Unless the prime minister of Britain sort of takes on the United States and says very difficult things, I doubt it," Lutnick added.