Trump praises UK PM Burnham as 'natural business person' but slams Chagos deal
US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham held their first face-to-face meeting on September 22, 2026, in New York. Trump praised Burnham as a "natural business person" and said he could work with him, but strongly criticized the UK's Chagos Islands sovereignty transfer deal as "terrible." Burnham acknowledged differences on trade, the Falklands, and Chagos, and announced limited UK military support for Saudi Arabia. In his UN speech, Burnham called for global AI regulation.
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UK PM Burnham's first meeting with Trump exceeds expectations; UN speech calls for global AI regulation
Newly appointed British Prime Minister Andy Burnham held his first meeting with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday at the UN General Assembly in New York, which lasted longer than the scheduled 30 minutes. Trump praised Burnham's 'businessman qualities' and said transatlantic ties are stronger than under his predecessor. Burnham acknowledged differences on trade, the Falkland Islands, and the Chagos Islands, which Trump called a 'bad deal.' Burnham also announced limited military support for Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks and plans to urge Trump for more Ukraine aid. In his UN speech, Burnham warned of risks from unregulated AI and disinformation, calling for global regulatory standards. This contrasts with Trump's UN statement rejecting global AI regulation. Burnham also signaled a shift from post-Brexit policies, ordering the creation of a national information defense center.
Read sourceTrump praises UK's Burnham as 'natural business person' after first meeting
Former U.S. President Donald Trump praised UK Foreign Secretary David Burnham as a 'natural business person' following their first meeting, according to multiple news reports. Trump expressed that he could do business with Burnham, while also criticizing the 'terrible' Chagos Islands deal. The meeting occurred amid reported tensions over AI and Iran policy. Burnham is also set to meet Trump and make his UN debut after offering UK military support for Saudi Arabia. The reports from Reuters, BBC, The Guardian, PBS, and The New York Times highlight a mix of positive personal rapport and substantive policy disagreements between the two figures.
Read sourceTrump says he can do business with Burnham but criticises 'terrible' Chagos deal
This Google News RSS feed aggregates multiple news articles about former U.S. President Donald Trump's comments on UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The lead article from the BBC reports that Trump stated he can do business with Burnham but criticized the Chagos Islands deal as 'terrible'. Other articles include a BBC piece titled 'Burn to be mild' and 'Pulp fiction', a Politico.eu analysis titled 'Burnham passes his first Trump test — but papers over the cracks', a Guardian cartoon by Ella Baron on Burnham's UN visit, and a New York Times article titled 'Andy Burnham, U.K.’s New Prime Minister, Prepares for U.N. Spotlight'. The collection covers Trump's mixed assessment of Burnham, focusing on their potential working relationship and Trump's disapproval of the Chagos deal, alongside broader coverage of Burnham's international debut as UK Prime Minister.
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Trump Praises UK PM Burnham as 'Natural Business Person' After First Meeting
Former U.S. President Donald Trump praised U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham as a 'natural business person' following their first meeting. The meeting, which took place ahead of the U.N. spotlight, saw Trump express a willingness to do business with Burnham. However, Trump also criticized the 'terrible' Chagos Islands deal. Burnham reportedly told Trump that the Falkland Islands will remain British. The meeting was characterized by some outlets as lacking temper tantrums, with Burnham's first face-to-face with Trump described as 'boring' but a win. The New York Times, BBC, The Guardian, and The Telegraph all covered the event, highlighting the diplomatic exchange and the points of contention between the two leaders.
Read sourceTrump says Burnham 'gets it' after first meeting, criticises Chagos deal
US President Donald Trump met UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham for the first time in New York on September 22, 2026. Following the face-to-face meeting, Trump told reporters that Burnham 'gets it' and that he could do business with the UK leader. However, Trump also criticised the 'terrible' Chagos Islands deal, signaling a point of disagreement between the two leaders. The meeting marks a significant diplomatic engagement between the Trump administration and Burnham's government, with Trump expressing a willingness to work together despite the criticism of the Chagos agreement. The BBC report highlights the leaders' joint appearance before reporters and the contrasting tones of cooperation on general relations and contention on the specific territorial issue.
Read sourceTrump praises UK PM Burnham but criticizes Chagos Islands deal, Burnham vows to defend Falklands
Former US President Donald Trump has praised new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, stating he can do business with him, but strongly criticized the UK's deal regarding the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean, calling it 'terrible'. The deal involves the transfer of sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius. In response, Burnham has insisted that the UK will 'stand firm' against any threats to the Falkland Islands, signaling a tough stance on British overseas territories. The meeting between Trump and Burnham was described as positive by Burnham, with Reuters reporting he was 'buoyed' by the encounter. The Guardian characterized the meeting as a success due to the absence of conflict, referring to Trump as 'America's King Baby'. The contrasting positions highlight potential friction between the US and UK on territorial issues, while Burnham seeks to maintain a working relationship with Trump.
Read sourceTrump Criticizes UK Chagos Islands Deal in First Meeting with British PM Burnham
During their first face-to-face meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, US President Donald Trump criticized a UK agreement regarding the Chagos Islands, calling it a 'terrible deal' and stating he does not support it. The criticism dampened an otherwise cordial meeting, where Trump praised British Prime Minister Andy Burnham as a 'born businessman' and expressed willingness to cooperate. The remarks highlight the challenges Burnham, a Labour leader with limited foreign policy experience who was previously the mayor of Greater Manchester, faces in building a smooth relationship with Trump. Trump had previously dismissed Burnham as a 'small-town mayor' and 'extremely liberal.' Burnham is the UK's sixth prime minister in a decade and the fourth to serve during Trump's two presidential terms. The Chagos Islands issue was discussed due to its 'very important strategic significance,' according to Trump.