Andy Burnham will face Donald Trump for the first time in person on Tuesday at the UN, and the tables are partly turned. Trump is less popular at home and facing real trouble in Iran, and that gives Burnham room to push back where Keir Starmer held back.
Starmer visited Trump in February 2025, shortly after the US president won the election. He took a strategy of “keep calm and carry on,” which protected UK trade but made him look obsequious. Burnham has signalled a different approach, telling reporters in June that the relationship is important to the UK but not to the point where the UK just goes along with anything Trump says.
Downing Street expects Burnham to be more forceful but avoid open diplomatic warfare. A source said Burnham would take a “third way” between Starmer’s soft approach and Mark Carney’s more combative style.
Trump’s weakened standing at home
Trump is unpopular domestically and faces high inflation and an intractable conflict in Iran. He has so far been restrained about the UK’s planned West Bank settlement trade ban, and the meeting will avoid the jeopardy of an Oval Office press conference.
Trump’s anger with the UK
Trump is angry the UK did not join his strikes on Iran. He has called the country a “dying” nation “on the edge of disaster.” He also suggested he might not help if Argentina again tried to seize the Falklands, and he said he would love to see a united Ireland.
The history between the two men
Trump called Burnham “extremely liberal” (not as a compliment) in June, and dismissively described him as the “mayor of a town.” As mayor, Burnham said Trump would not be welcome in Greater Manchester, blaming his “poisonous” politics.
After winning Makerfield as an MP, Burnham warned against the “divided, dark politics” of the US. Over the summer, Burnham said “everyone says things as politicians” and said he would “say what I feel” to Trump but also try to “find a connection.”
The record of the two phone calls
The pair have spoken on the phone twice and are said to have got on. Trump responded warmly to reports the UK would “open up” the North Sea, though the decision to drill at two fields has been delayed.
The stakes on the ground
Trump is in power for two more years and is unpredictable. Burnham’s closest aides acknowledge the biggest weight on the UK is Trump’s war in Iran.
Burnham’s ambitions for the meeting
A source says Burnham’s ambitions are to bond with Trump, make the case for Ukraine and avoid any drama.
A comparison of the two approaches
| Keir Starmer | Andy Burnham | |
|---|---|---|
| Strategy | “Keep calm and carry on” | “Third way” between Starmer and Carney |
| Position | Soft, protecting trade | More forceful, avoiding open warfare |
| Approach | Obsequious on the surface | Bond, make the case for Ukraine, no drama |
Burnham’s task is simple. Trump is weakened at home, but unpredictable remains unpredictable.
He needs to find the connection, say what he feels, and not let the drama run away with him.
Where the paper stands
The paper backs Burnham’s more forceful approach and is against Starmer’s obsequious “keep calm and carry on” strategy. Starmer went to Trump in February 2025 shortly after the US president won the election, and the deal came at the cost of UK dignity. Burnham has signalled he will not repeat that mistake, saying the relationship is important but not at the point where the UK just goes along with anything Trump says.
The stakes are clear. Trump is weaker at home, with inflation and a war in Iran, but still unpredictable and dangerous. Burnham’s aides acknowledge the biggest weight on the UK is Trump’s war in Iran. The paper wants Burnham to bond with Trump, make the case for Ukraine, and avoid any drama.
In a meeting where the tables are partly turned, the UK should use the moment. Burnham should say what he feels to Trump, and do so without letting the drama run away with him.
Source material: “Andy Burnham faces a weakened Trump – but the president remains unpredictable,” The Guardian.
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