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 defence, security, intelligence and trade. Starmer said Britain would not have to choose between closer ties with the United States or China, highlighting Trump’s September visit to Britain that unveiled 150 billion pounds of U.S investment in to the country. "Unless the prime minister of Britain sort of takes on the United States and says very difficult things, I doubt ⁠it," Lutnick added.