Burnham and Trump hold first meeting in New York

New York, United States. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Tuesday that he and US President Donald Trump had established a good connection in their early discussions, despite differences on some foreign policy issues.

First meeting

The two leaders met for the first time in New York and discussed Ukraine, the status of the Falkland Islands and trade issues.

Trump described Burnham as a “natural business person” after the meeting.

“This relationship matters so much to us and we’ll build on that,” Burnham said.

Managing Britain’s relationship with the United States is expected to be one of Burnham’s main foreign policy challenges. The countries have long been regarded as close allies, but their partnership has faced strain over Trump’s foreign policy agenda, including the US-Israeli decision to attack Iran this year.

Diego Garcia agreement

Trump again criticised Britain’s plan to resolve the status of a US-British military base on Diego Garcia, an island in the Indian Ocean, calling it a “terrible deal”.

Britain last year agreed to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after more than two centuries of control, while retaining a 99-year lease over Diego Garcia, its largest island and the site of the strategic military base.

The legislation required to implement the agreement was paused because of opposition from the United States.

“I don’t support it. It was a terrible deal,” Trump said. “Somebody has ownership that never showed up before after decades and centuries. I think it’s ridiculous.”