China has reportedly taken aim at last week’s trade deal between the UK and US that could be used to squeeze Chinese products out of Britain’s supply chains.

The deal - the first struck by Donald Trump’s administration since announcing sweeping tariffs last month - was announced on Thursday, and includes strict security requirements for Britain’s steel and pharmaceutical industries. It could make it harder for London to rebuild relations with Beijing.

Beijing said it is a “basic principle” that agreements between countries should not target other nations. China’s foreign ministry told the Financial Times:

Britain’s competition watchdog is reviewing Aviva’s proposed £3.7bn acquisition of its smaller insurance rival Direct Line to see whether it poses any competition concerns.

The deal would combine the companies’ UK insurance operations – covering a wide range of products such as car and home insurance.