Foreign secretary to signal shift towards partnerships with rising world powers

The war in Ukraine and a changing relationship with China have been the major parts of the UK’s recent foreign policy but Mr Cleverly will signal a move towards regions that he sees as representing an increasing share of the world economy in future decades.

The UK will look to form long-lasting partnerships with Latin American, Asian and African countries, the foreign secretary will say next week.

James Cleverly will give his first major speech at the Foreign Office on Monday, and will call for alignment with increasingly influential countries in the three regions.

This includes states that are not seen as “traditional partners” of the UK.

Mr Cleverly is expected to say: “In the coming decades, an ever greater share of the world economy – and therefore of world power – will be in the hands of nations in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

“The UK offer will be tailored to their needs and UK strengths, spanning trade, investment, development, defence, technology and climate change.

“This will be backed-up with a reliable source of infrastructure investment.

“So I’m determined that we will make investments of faith in the countries that will shape the world’s future.”

He will say: “We will show strategic endurance, willing to commit for the long term.

“I want our foreign policy to be constantly planning for tomorrow, scanning the horizon, looking 10, 15 and 20 years ahead.”

Mr Cleverly was appointed foreign secretary in September by Liz Truss but has kept the position under Rishi Sunak’s administration.

His speech comes just a few weeks after Mr Sunak signalled a new direction in the UK’s relationship with China, saying that the “golden era” of relations was over.

Mr Sunak said that his administration would instead rely on “robust pragmatism” to stand up to global competitors.

Mr Cleverly will appear on Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday, along with shadow health secretary Wes Streeting, from 8.30am

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