Trump speaks to new British PM Andy Burnham, gets invite to visit Manchester
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Before taking office, Andy Burnham had said he plans to be “upfront” with Donald Trump and rely on his personality to keep their relationship stable.
PHOTO: AFP
- US President Donald Trump had a "very good conversation" with new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, discussing topics like North Sea Oil, trade, military alliance, and demining the Strait of Hormuz.
- Burnham pledged to reshape UK politics with a new economic model and support defence, security, and reopening the Hormuz Strait amid rising energy prices.
- Trump criticised former PM Keir Starmer over US-Israeli war on Iran and other issues, while relations with Burnham appear more positive despite Trump calling him "extremely liberal" earlier.
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WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump said on July 20 he had a “very good conversation” with new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and that they would be meeting in the “not too distant future”, signalling potentially better ties after tensions with Burnham’s predecessor.
“The Prime Minister has got a big job ahead of him, but he will be able to do it and, of course, the U.S.A. will be there to help!” Trump posted on social media.
“We discussed many subjects, including the outstanding relationship we have had with the UK. We will be meeting in the not too distant future for topics of mutual interest,” the US President said, adding that discussions included North Sea oil, trade and demining the Strait of Hormuz.
Relations between the US and Britain came under strain in recent months after former prime minister Keir Starmer refused to give initial military support for Trump’s attack on Iran. The resumption of hostilities between the US and Iran could become one of Burnham’s early foreign policy tests, as he faces a call on whether to allow the use of British bases.
Before taking office, Burnham said he plans to be “upfront” with Trump and rely on his personality to keep their relationship stable.
Burnham’s office said the Prime Minister congratulated Trump on the World Cup tournament, which concluded with Spain’s victory over Argentina on July 19, and invited the President to visit Manchester in one of his first calls as Britain’s leader.
He was mayor of Greater Manchester before challenging Starmer for the Labour Party’s leadership.
“The President then updated on the situation in the Middle East, and the Prime Minister outlined the UK’s commitment to securing the movement of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz to support global supply chains and drive down costs for businesses and families across the country,” 10 Downing Street said.
After becoming the seventh British prime minister in a little over a decade, Burnham promised a “new economic model” for the country. BLOOMBERG
