Trump says US relations better with Burnham than Starmer

At the opening session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, U.S. President Donald Trump met UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham for the first time in person. Trump greeted Burnham as a “natural businessperson,” noting that he believed the new prime minister had “lots of assets on his side” and would be “great” in the role. The comments were made as the two leaders sat together in a brief press conference before the assembly’s opening ceremony.

Trump also reiterated that his relationship with the United Kingdom is “more up” under Burnham than it was during Keir Starmer’s tenure, despite ongoing tensions over issues such as artificial‑intelligence regulation, the status of the Chagos Islands, and the war in Iran. The president’s remarks came amid a broader diplomatic push to strengthen ties between Washington and London, with both sides signaling a willingness to collaborate on shared security and economic priorities.

The meeting, though short, underscored the importance of the U.N. platform for fostering dialogue between the two nations. With the General Assembly set to continue for several weeks, observers will watch how the U.S. and the U.K. navigate their policy differences while seeking common ground on global challenges.