Cleverly warns that if Beijing invaded Taiwan, it would destroy world trade

In his keynote speech at the Lord Mayor’s Easter Banquet, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly stated that failing to engage with China would be a “sign of weakness” and emphasized the importance of working with the country to maintain global stability. Cleverly acknowledged the authoritarian nature of China’s regime but underlined the necessity of direct engagement to shape the international order.

Cleverly also expressed concerns over Beijing’s expanding military presence, warning that any Chinese invasion of Taiwan would devastate global trade, citing potential losses amounting to $2.6 trillion. He called for greater transparency in China’s military build-up, which he described as the largest peacetime expansion in history, and advocated for a balanced approach that combines national security efforts, collaboration with allies, and direct engagement with China.