UK Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson has reportedly instigated a huge row at the heart of government after threatening to send a warship to the Pacific, prompting China to withdraw from trade talks with Chancellor Philip Hammond.
China’s Deputy PM Hu Chunhua, who was expected to hold talks with Hammond this weekend, has now dramatically pulled out of the engagement after Williamson’s menacing remarks on Monday, according to the Sun.
The defense secretary said that the UK must “show [China] the high price of aggressive behavior.”
The fervent speech delivered by Williamson warned China and Russia of Britain’s hard power, and revealed that HMS ‘Queen Elizabeth,’ the country’s largest warship, would be deployed to the Pacific with two squadrons of UK and US F-35 fighter jets.
The diplomatic row, reportedly instigated by Williamson, is said to have enraged Tory government ministers, who see his British Empire 2.0 rhetoric as putting at risk access to Chinese markets that are worth billions of pounds.
There is huge anger across cabinet. Gavin was partially inciting a war – the team knew China would not be happy, with type of attitude.
China had been expected to remove bans on cosmetics which have not been animal-tested, as well as British poultry. Such a move would have given Britain access to markets worth an estimated £10.2 billion over five years.
The deals would have given the UK a significant boost as it desperately tries to secure post-Brexit trade agreements.
However, the Chinese deputy pulled the plug at the eleventh hour and only offered up junior officials – all but ending any hopes of deals being struck, according to the paper.
This is what happens when you promote a former ‘fireplace’ salesman whose only military experience is the Boy Scouts and playing computer games in charge of your country’s defense.
RT. com / ABC Flash Point News 2019.
