British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and US President Donald Trump met for the first time on Tuesday, using the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York to test a relationship that both sides presented as warm and workmanlike.
After their talks, the two leaders delivered brief statements and took questions from reporters. Trump opened by predicting that Burnham would be a "great prime minister" and said the United States would stand with him "all the way". Burnham thanked the president and described their exchange as a "good connection", adding that they had covered Ukraine, the Falkland Islands and trade.
Asked whether Burnham was someone he could do business with, Trump was positive, calling him a "natural businessperson" — a label that may sit awkwardly with some of the prime minister's critics in Westminster. "We've had a lot of discussions even before this meeting," Trump said. "We've spoken to each other numerous times on the phone. I think so, I think so. He gets it, he understands what he has to do."
A diplomatic tone on immigration
Immigration, a politically charged subject on both sides of the Atlantic and a centrepiece of Trump's presidency, produced a notably restrained response from the US president despite his earlier criticism of the UK's handling of the issue. Burnham acknowledged the growing salience of immigration in British politics and said the UK was continuing to intercept small boats crossing from continental Europe. He noted that crossings had fallen by roughly half over the summer compared with six years ago.
The encounter took place against a wider diplomatic calendar in New York, where Trump has also been engaged on other files. He has threatened military action against Iran while confirming direct talks, and has held discussions with European leaders including Emmanuel Macron, who reported constructive exchanges on the Red Sea and Ukraine.
For Burnham, the meeting is part of a broader effort to rebuild Britain's international economic position. He has signalled that he wants to press Ursula von der Leyen on UK access to EU procurement, and has left the door open to rejoining the EU in a future manifesto — both moves that will be watched closely in Brussels and in European capitals.
Chagos deal criticised
Trump closed the news conference with a swipe at Burnham's predecessor, Keir Starmer, saying relations with the UK were "more up now" under the current prime minister. He also attacked the previous government's Chagos Islands agreement as "terrible". That proposed deal would transfer sovereignty over the islands to Mauritius while preserving the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.
"Right now, based on my relationship with your prime minister, Andy, I think we're doing very well," Trump said.
The warmth on display will be read in European capitals as a signal that London is seeking to keep its US ties on an even keel even as Washington's posture towards the continent shifts. Trump has simultaneously moved to sign a defence pact with Denmark and Greenland and has sent mixed signals about US force levels in Europe, even as a US troop rotation heads to Lithuania.
Whether the personal chemistry translates into concrete outcomes on trade, Ukraine or migration remains to be seen. But for now, both leaders appear content to let the optics of a friendly first meeting speak for themselves.
