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Investing.com -- British Finance Minister Rachel Reeves is set to meet with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng during his visit to the U.K. this week, as part of broader trade discussions also involving top U.S. officials, Reuters reported on Sunday, citing a British government source.
His visit, running from June 8 to June 13, will include talks in London with three senior aides to former U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed at addressing the ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China, an issue that continues to unsettle global markets.
Reeves, who previously met He in China this January, is expected to host him for a bilateral meeting during the trip, although the specific timing remains unconfirmed, the report said.
The January meeting was part of the British government’s broader effort under Prime Minister Keir Starmer to strengthen relations with Beijing.
Despite these diplomatic moves, skepticism toward China persists among many British MPs, amid recurring allegations of espionage and controversy over a proposed new Chinese embassy in London.
The embassy is planned for the Royal Mint Court, near the Tower of London, and would be China’s largest in Europe.
However, the local council has so far denied planning permission, and a final decision from the national government is still pending.
The proposal has also raised concerns in the United States. According to The Sunday Times, a senior U.S. official said Washington was deeply concerned about the embassy’s location due to its proximity to key financial districts and three major data centres. The official noted that approval of the project could impact U.K.-U.S. trade negotiations.
British Technology Minister Peter Kyle told Sky News that these security issues will be taken care of assiduously in the planning process, the report added.