LONDON — Andy Burnham, who once declared he would refuse to meet Donald Trump, is now set to hold his first face-to-face talks with the U.S. president during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. As Britain’s prime minister, Burnham has placed Ukraine’s defense and the escalating costs of conflict in the Middle East at the forefront of his diplomatic agenda.
U.S. officials confirmed that the two leaders will converse on the sidelines of the annual summit. Burnham is scheduled to address the assembly on Tuesday, where he intends to outline his vision for Britain’s role within an increasingly divided global order. This meeting marks a significant shift for Burnham, whose only foreign trip since assuming office in July was a visit to Kyiv, where he has emphasized the urgent need for interceptor missiles to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses before the onset of winter.
Beyond Eastern Europe, London is seeking to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route largely obstructed since the outbreak of war between the U.S.-Israeli alliance and Iran in February. The blockage has driven oil prices upward, complicating Burnham’s efforts to stimulate Britain’s stagnant economy and alleviate the cost-of-living crisis for citizens.
The upcoming summit contrasts sharply with Burnham’s previous rhetoric. In 2017, then-Greater Manchester mayor Burnham stated that Trump would not be welcome in his city, and two years later, he vowed not to meet the former president if he visited the UK. Since becoming prime minister, Burnham has adopted a stance focused on finding common ground with political adversaries.
Trump has characterized Burnham as “a nice guy” following two phone conversations since Burnham replaced Keir Starmer as leader of the center-left Labour Party. However, the U.S. president has also provoked British officials by voicing support for Irish unification and speculating on the future of the Falkland Islands, which are claimed by both Britain and Argentina.
Labour Party chairwoman Bridget Phillipson described Burnham’s approach as “pragmatic,” telling Times Radio that while the two nations will not align on every issue due to differing political traditions, maintaining the relationship remains essential for national interest.
The diplomatic landscape has shifted significantly since Starmer’s tenure. In February 2025, Starmer went to great lengths to court Trump, inviting King Charles III for an unprecedented second state visit. While British officials felt vindicated when a trade deal was eventually struck with the Trump administration, relations soured after Starmer refused to join the war against Iran. Additionally, Trump has frequently criticized Britain’s immigration controls, green-energy policies, and its ban on trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, while urging the UK to expand North Sea oil drilling.
Burnham is expected to make a imminent decision regarding the approval of new oil and gas fields off the coast of Scotland. He also faces potential scrutiny over Britain’s regulatory efforts targeting large American technology firms.
Earlier this year, Trump’s threats to acquire Greenland alarmed UK and European allies. Burnham expressed relief when a deal was struck to enhance the American military presence in the Arctic island while keeping it under Danish sovereignty.
This meeting occurs as middle-sized powers, led prominently by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, attempt to build stronger alliances in response to Trump’s “America first” foreign policy. Burnham’s government aims to position Britain more boldly on the world stage and repair ties with Europe severed during the Brexit process.
Despite calls from critics, such as Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, who urged Burnham to confront Trump’s treatment of the UK and the world, the prime minister remains focused on pragmatic engagement. Trump has other high-profile engagements this week, including a planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House.
Wait, he swore not to meet Trump back in 2019? That is quite the U-turn for the guy who said he would.
Pragmatism over pride, finally. If he secures those interceptors and opens the Strait of Hormuz, I support it.