Mark White blasts ‘fantasy’ UK-China deal as people smugglers ditch Chinese engines

Mark White, GB News Home and Security Editor, slammed the UK‑China anti‑smuggling agreement on 29 January 2026, calling it a ‘fantasy’. White argued that the pact, designed to curb people smuggling routes between the UK and China, is ineffective as smugglers reportedly drop cheap Chinese‑made engines in favour of other propulsion systems. He warned that the deal’s focus on engine supply chains misses larger trafficking networks and could hinder law‑enforcement efforts. The criticism highlights growing doubts among security experts that collaborative measures between Britain and Beijing can realistically curb cross‑border smuggling. White's remarks come as the partnership launched next month, amid calls for a broader strategy to disrupt human trafficking.