Burnham Seeks 'Third Way' in First Face-to-Face Meeting with Trump at UN
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to meet US President Donald Trump at the United Nations on Tuesday, aiming for a balanced approach that pushes back on British interests without engaging in open diplomatic conflict.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham will hold his first face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday at the United Nations. The encounter comes as Burnham navigates a relationship with a president who is domestically weakened by high inflation and an ongoing conflict in Iran, yet remains unpredictable.
Unlike his predecessor Keir Starmer, whose strategy of maintaining NATO unity and protecting trade interests was criticized as obsequious, Burnham intends to adopt what Downing Street insiders describe as a "third way." This approach seeks to push back more forcefully on British interests than Starmer did, while avoiding the combative style associated with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney or open diplomatic warfare.
Burnham’s stated ambitions for the talks are threefold: to bond with Trump, make the case for Ukraine, and avoid any public drama. The choice of the UN as the meeting location is considered neutral ground, helping Burnham mitigate the risk of a press conference being derailed by Trump.
The political backdrop is complex. In June, Trump described Burnham as "extremely liberal" and dismissively referred to him as the "mayor of a town." Trump has also expressed anger over the UK's refusal to join strikes on Iran and recently characterized the UK as a "dying" nation. Additionally, Trump suggested he might not assist if Argentina attempted to seize the Falklands again and voiced support for a united Ireland.
Despite these tensions, Burnham and Trump have spoken on the phone twice and are reported to have gotten along well. Trump responded warmly to reports that the UK government plans to "open up" the North Sea, although drilling decisions have faced delays.
Burnham previously stated that Trump would not be welcome in Greater Manchester due to his "poisonous" politics while serving as mayor. However, over the summer, he softened his stance, indicating he would "say what I feel" to Trump but also try to "find a connection." In June, Burnham signaled that he would not simply go along with US demands, noting that the UK had gotten into trouble doing so in the past.
Aides acknowledge that Trump's war in Iran is damaging the British economy and hindering Burnham's domestic promises. With two years remaining in Trump's term, Burnham faces the challenge of managing this volatile relationship while advocating for UK interests.