The White House has issued a stark warning to Downing Street over plans to construct a Chinese embassy near London's financial district, citing serious security risks to critical communication infrastructure.
The proposed "super-embassy" at Royal Mint Court sits between the City and Canary Wharf, directly above sensitive communication cables that serve the Capital's financial centres.
A senior US official stated: "The United States is deeply concerned about providing China with potential access to the sensitive communications of one of our closest allies."
The site's proximity to three major data centres has heightened American fears about potential espionage and the vulnerability of crucial financial communications infrastructure to attack.
The White House has issued a stark warning to Downing Street over plans to construct a Chinese embassy near London's financial district, citing serious security risks to critical communication infrastructure
Getty
US officials are in ongoing trade negotiations with the UK.
Britain is facing a July 9 deadline to avoid 50 per cent tariffs on steel exports.
When asked about the embassy's impact on the trade deal, the White House official said: "The United States expects that all decisions will be taken with our national security interests in mind and after thorough mitigation as recommended and approved by counterintelligence professionals."
President Trump has personally urged Sir Keir Starmer to reject the embassy plans, according to reports.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The embassy project has been contentious since Beijing purchased the former Royal Mint buildings in 2018
Getty
Diplomats have warned that the Trump administration would reconsider intelligence sharing arrangements with Britain if the development proceeds.
The embassy project has been contentious since Beijing purchased the former Royal Mint buildings in 2018.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi raised the matter with David Lammy during a London visit this year, whilst President Xi personally lobbied Starmer.
Angela Rayner called in the planning decision last year after Tower Hamlets council initially refused permission in 2022.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi raised the matter with David Lammy during a London visit this year
Getty
Both Scotland Yard and Tower Hamlets council withdrew their objections following Rachel Reeves's China visit.
The controversy coincides with high-stakes China-US economic talks beginning Monday in London.
Trump's treasury secretary Scott Bessent, commerce secretary Howard Lutnick and trade representative Jamieson Greer will meet Chinese vice-premier He Lifeng to address trade disputes between the world's largest economies.
More From GB News
Most Read
