President Donald Trump has commented on Britain’s changing political landscape, saying he knows little about Andy Burnham, who is widely expected to become the United Kingdom’s next prime minister.
Speaking late Wednesday, Trump described Burnham as “a mayor of a town” and characterized him as “extremely liberal,” while suggesting he would be unlikely to support expanding oil and gas production in the North Sea.
The U.S. president reiterated his long-standing view that Britain should increase offshore energy development, arguing that greater oil drilling in the North Sea would strengthen the country’s energy security and economy.
Trump stopped short of repeating some of his earlier, sharper criticisms of outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer, but again said Starmer should have done more to promote domestic energy production.
Starmer announced on Monday that he would step down following mounting political pressure fueled by declining public approval ratings and disappointing local election results for the Labour Party.
During much of his premiership, Starmer sought to maintain a constructive relationship with Trump following the U.S. president’s return to office.
One of the most notable gestures came in 2025, when Starmer extended an invitation for an unprecedented second state visit to the United Kingdom.
However, relations between the two leaders became strained after Britain initially declined a U.S. request to use British military bases for operations targeting Iran.
The British government later approved the request, allowing U.S. forces to use the facilities, a move that helped ease tensions between London and Washington.
As Labour prepares to select a new leader, observers say the next prime minister will inherit the task of managing Britain’s close strategic relationship with the United States while balancing domestic priorities, including energy policy and economic growth.
Trump’s latest remarks suggest that Britain’s approach to energy production—particularly North Sea oil and gas exploration—could remain an important issue in future U.S.-U.K. relations.
