What the papers say – March 17

The nation’s papers are led by concerns over plans to strengthen the UK’s trade ties with China.

The Times and Financial Times report Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing a backlash from backbench Tory MPs after the PM said Britain would seek “deeper trade links” with China under its new “Global Britain” foreign policy.

Meanwhile, Metro and Daily Star take a similar approach to the Duke of Edinburgh being released from a month-long stay in hospital following a successful heart procedure.

Staying with royal news, the Daily Express and Daily Mail lead with Charles, William and Harry speaking for the first time since the Duke of Sussex’s Oprah Winfrey interview, with the papers reporting the initial talks were “not productive”.

Elsewhere, the i carries accusations that the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab is being “weaponised” by EU leaders after authorities insisted the vaccine was safe.

European governments have been accused of stockpiling vaccines despite a looming third Covid wave, according to The Daily Telegraph.

The Guardian reports pressure is growing on No 10 to trigger an inquiry into the Government’s handling of the pandemic.

And the Daily Mirror says deaths of people aged over 80 have plummeted by 86% in the wake of the vaccine rollout.