British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to hold his first face-to-face meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, with Ukraine and the economic impact of the Middle East conflict expected to feature prominently in their talks.
Burnham, who took office in July, is scheduled to address the annual gathering of world leaders on Tuesday, where he is expected to outline his government’s approach to Britain’s role in an increasingly divided international landscape.
Ukraine is expected to be a major focus of the Burnham-Trump meeting. Burnham’s only previous overseas trip since becoming prime minister was to Kyiv, and he has said he plans to urge Trump to provide interceptor missiles to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses ahead of another winter of war.
The British government also wants to discuss efforts to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, where disruption linked to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran has contributed to higher global oil prices. The increase in energy costs has added pressure to Burnham’s efforts to strengthen Britain’s economy and ease the cost of living.
The meeting marks a shift from Burnham’s previous stance toward Trump. As mayor of Greater Manchester in 2017, Burnham said Trump would not be welcome in the city. Two years later, he said he would refuse to meet the U.S. president if he visited.
Since becoming prime minister, however, Burnham has emphasized the importance of finding “common ground” with political leaders despite policy differences. He and Trump have spoken twice since Burnham replaced Keir Starmer as leader of the governing Labour Party.
Relations between Washington and London continue to involve areas of both cooperation and disagreement. Trump has recently expressed support for Irish unification and commented on the future of the Falkland Islands, which are administered by Britain but claimed by Argentina.
Labour Party chairwoman Bridget Phillipson said Burnham would take a pragmatic approach to relations with Washington.
“We won’t agree with the U.S. administration on everything,” Phillipson told Times Radio, adding that maintaining the relationship remains important to Britain’s national interests.
The meeting will take place during a busy diplomatic week for Trump, who is also scheduled to meet several other foreign leaders while attending the UN General Assembly in New York.
