Rio Tinto head speaks out against decoupling

Dominic Barton, chairman of multinational mining giant Rio Tinto, has criticized voices that advocate economic "decoupling" or "de-risking", saying the concepts are "very negative" for prosperity and for everyone.

Barton made the comments when speaking to media on the sidelines of an event in Beijing on Wednesday commemorating the 70th anniversary of the "Icebreaking Mission" in China-UK trade.

In 1953, British entrepreneurs led by Jack Perry started the "Icebreaking Mission" to China, which opened the West's trade with the country.

"Trade is something we should remind ourselves we shouldn't take it for granted. Trade is really important," Barton said.

"Multinationals like Rio Tinto and others, we have to speak up about the benefits of trade. It is really important for everyone, for everyone's standard of living," he said.

"There is a lot of rhetoric, there's a lot of noise out there about decoupling and de-risking, which I think is very negative for prosperity, for everyone," he added. "It's bad for everyone."