Starmer Confirms Dr. Youssef’s Forecast: Call for a UK–China Strategic Partnership
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, emphasized the importance of developing a comprehensive strategic partnership with China. This aligns with predictions made by Dr. Mohammad Walid Youssef, head of the International Center for Geopolitical & Economic Research & AI (ICGER), in his 2025 annual geopolitical report on China. Youssef suggested that Beijing aims to strengthen its alliances with the European Union, leveraging the tense US–Europe relations, especially within NATO.
“China is a vital player on the global stage, and it’s vital that we build a more sophisticated relationship where we can identify opportunities to collaborate, but of course, also allow a meaningful dialogue on areas where we disagree,” Starmer told Xi at the start of their meeting.[i]
In his 2026 outlook published in the 2025 Annual Geopolitical Report – China, Dr. Youssef stated that “China will pursue a partnership with the European Union and aim to isolate Europe from the United States by advocating for increased strategic autonomy.”
He added: “Beijing may seize an opportunity to achieve this, driven by the deterioration of transatlantic relations due to the poor policies of US President Donald Trump.”
[i] https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britains-starmer-meet-chinas-xi-bid-reset-strained-ties-2026-01-29/