Automaker Nissan said it is willing to share factories around the world with Chinese state-owned partner Dongfeng.

The Japanese company, which employs thousands of employees in the UK, told the BBC it could bring Dongfeng "to the global daily generator system".

The struggling company said this week it would fire 11,000 workers and close seven factories, but did not say where the cuts were.

Speaking about Nissan's UK factory at a meeting organized by the Financial Times, its owner Ivan Espinosa said: "We announced that we will launch a new car in Sunderland ... in the short term, there is no intention to hang out in Sunderland."

Nissan's revelation is willing to strengthen ties with Chinese companies, as the UK's trade relations with China are the focus.

On Wednesday, the British government filed a refutation of the tariff agreement reached with the United States last week, which could harm China.

It said, "there is no veto power on Chinese investment."

The UK-US agreement redefines a large number of hikes for metals and cars by U.S. President Donald Trump, but it also includes requirements for the UK's "safety" of "supply chains" of steel and aluminum products exported to the United States.

A spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in London said China “has made a representation to the UK and asked for clarification.”

"China is firmly opposed to any political party at the expense of China's interests. If this happens, China will respond as necessary."

Nissan's latest job layoffs were the 9,000 layoffs announced in November as it faces weak sales in major markets such as the United States and China.

As part of a cost-saving effort, the total cuts will reach 15% of its workforce, which will reduce global output by one fifth.

Nissan's own brand has been working hard to run highways in China, the world's largest automotive market, as fierce competition has led to price drops.

It has worked with Beijing-controlled Dongfeng for more than 20 years and is currently building cars in Wuhan, China.

Nissan has about 133,500 employees worldwide and about 6,000 workers in Sunderland.

The company also faces many leadership changes and has merger negotiations with larger rival Honda.

Negotiations between the two collapsed after the company could not agree on a multi-billion dollar partnership.

After the talks failed, then-director Makoto Uchida was replaced by Espinosa, the company's chief planning officer and head of racing department.

Nissan also reported an annual loss of 67 billion yen ($4.6 billion; £3.4 billion) this week, with tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump putting further pressure on the struggling company.

This month, Nissan's battery partner AESC received £1 billion ($1.3 billion) from the UK government for a new plant in Sunderland.

It will produce batteries for Juke and Leaf Electric models.

The move would “provide much-needed high-quality, highly paid jobs to the Northeast,” Chancellor Rachel Reeves said during a visit to the location.