Trump praises Burnham as 'natural businessman' but calls Chagos deal 'terrible'
At their first face-to-face meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Trump and Burnham struck a friendly tone even as Chagos, AI and Ukraine tensions simmered.
Part of a larger narrative
Trump's Foreign Policy Overture
- Trump and Mamdani hold friendly Gracie Mansion meeting, Trump offers White House visit
- Trump praises Burnham as 'natural businessman' but calls Chagos deal 'terrible'you are here
- Zelensky Says Trump Agreed to Meet Him in New York at UNGA
What to know
- Trump and Burnham held their first face-to-face meeting on 22 September 2026 at the UN General Assembly in New York, described by both sides as smooth and friendly.
- Trump praised Burnham as a 'natural businessperson' and said UK-US relations are stronger than under Keir Starmer, even as he called the UK's Chagos Islands handover plan 'terrible' and reaffirmed his opposition to it.
- Burnham used the trip to push for closer AI cooperation, continued Ukraine support including Patriot missiles, and a Middle East peace push, while announcing a new UK-US AI and Autonomy defense partnership.
- UK opposition figure Ed Davey criticized the AI partnership as insufficient and called for a global pause on superintelligent AI and a new International AI Safety Agency.
Andy Burnham UK Prime Minister
Donald Trump US President
Ed Davey Liberal Democrat leaderMarie-France van Heel Spouse of Andy Burnham
How it unfolded 9 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesvideospostscomments
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Coverage frames meeting as smooth despite unresolved disputes
Outlets characterize the encounter as a smooth first meeting for Burnham's team, noting Trump can 'do business' with Burnham even as the Chagos dispute and other flashpoints remain unresolved.
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That's the thing that baffles me. When people pull out "well the Americans liked it before", that should have zero bearing on whether we do it or not because, fundamentally, they do not give a single nugget of shit if it's good for the UK . For some reason, the government has got it in its collective head that we should damage our ability to…
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Trump meets Andy Burnham for the first time, claims US-UK relations are ‘more up’ than under Starmer. {The Guardian 22 September; photo: AFP/Getty} https://www. theguardian.com/us-news/2026/s ep/22/trump-says-relations-better-with-burnham-than-starmer-after-first-face-to-face-meeting linktr.ee/arthurnewhook 🪐💔 # QueSeraSera 𓅨 🕈
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He definitely seems to have entered the lame duck phase in the last couple of weeks.
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Trump voices optimism on a US-Iran settlement
Following the meeting with Burnham, Trump tells reporters he expects a settlement with Iran to be reached.
“I think that a settlement is going to be reached…”
— Donald Trump -
2 outlets first by Jerusalem Post, 1d ago · also Japan Today · read ↗
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Trump and Burnham hold first face-to-face meeting in New York
The two leaders meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly; Trump calls Burnham a 'natural businessperson' and says relations with the UK are 'more up' than under Starmer, despite friction over AI regulation, Chagos and Iran.
“a natural businessperson…”
— Donald Trump -
12 outlets first by The Hindu, 2d ago · also Chicago Tribune, Globe and Mail, Orlando Sentinel, Mercury News, Baltimore Sun, ABC News +5 · read ↗
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first by Middle East Eye, 1d ago · also MercoPress, NYT, Guardian
3 more headlines
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Trump calls Chagos Islands handover to Mauritius a 'terrible deal'
Ahead of or during the meeting, Trump confirms his opposition to the UK's plan to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and lease back the Diego Garcia base has not changed since he opposed it under Starmer.
“I don't support it. I think it's terrible.”
— Donald Trump -
first by SCMP, 1d ago · also Globe and Mail, South China Morning Post
1 more headline
- Trump praises new British PM Burnham but criticizes Chagos Islands agreement Globe and Mail · 1d ago
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first by BBC, 1d ago
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Donald Trump says that Labour's plans to give sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius is a 'terrible deal' He confirms that his position has not moved since he effectively killed it when Keir Starmer was prime minister 'I don't support it. I think it's terrible. It was a
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⚡ NEWS Trump Praises Andy Burnham as 'Natural Businessman' at UN Meeting US President Donald Trump met with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham at the UN in New York, praising him as a 'natural businessman' and claiming the relationship is stronger than under Keir Starmer. Trump discussed Rolls-Royce, energy, and immigration but... 📰 https://www…
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Burnham says he expects to find 'common ground' with Trump
Speaking to reporters on his flight, Burnham says he and Trump have 'found a connection' and describes UK-US relations as 'as strong as it's ever been', ahead of a UN speech expected to focus on AI.
“We've found a connection. So, I will go with where I feel it's right, to meet him where he is at, and search for that common ground, which I'm sure we'll find…”
— Andy Burnham -
6 outlets first by BBC, 1d ago · also Associated Press, Mercury News, AP News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Toronto Star · read ↗
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first by Reuters, 1d ago · also Straits Times, Investing.com News
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🟠 UPDATE UK Labour Manifesto Brexit Reversal Speculation UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is attending the UN General Assembly in New York. He plans to deliver an upbeat speech asserting Britain is not 'on the slide' and is the fastest-growing G7 economy. Burnham aims to pursue a 'third way' relationship with US President... 📰 https://www…
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British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is keen to underline the common ground he says he has found with U.S. President Donald Trump over artificial intelligence ahead of their first meeting. https://www. japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/09/ 22/world/politics/uk-burnham-us-trump-meeting/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon # worldnews # politics #…
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Burnham departs for New York ahead of UN meeting
Burnham boards a flight from Stansted Airport to New York to attend the UN General Assembly, where a meeting with Trump is expected.
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BREAKING: Andy Burnham has boarded a flight from Stansted Airport to New York, where he will attend the UN General Assembly. The prime minister is also expected to meet with Donald Trump while he is in the US. Latest: https://t.co/lrsgq4ak2m 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602 and YouTube
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🇬🇧🇺🇸 UK PM Burnham will meet Trump for the first time this week, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The Ukraine war and disruption to shipping are expected to feature prominently in their talks. Burnham previously said he would refuse to meet Trump (in 2019), but
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- 1 day quiet
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Aides reportedly blame Trump for UK economic woes ahead of meeting
Bloomberg reports Burnham's own officials privately blame Trump for the UK government's economic predicament as the PM prepares to meet him, with Burnham's priority reported as securing Patriot missile stockpiles for Ukraine.
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3 outlets Andy Burnham’s about to meet Trump
first by The Times, 4d ago · also Bloomberg Politics, Japan Times
2 more headlines
- Andy Burnham to Meet Donald Trump as Aides Blame President for Economic Woes Bloomberg Politics · 4d ago
- U.K.’s Burnham to meet Trump as aides blame U.S. leader for economic headwinds Japan Times · 4d ago
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British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is about to meet the man his own officials blame for the U.K. government's economic predicament: Donald Trump. https://www. japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/09/ 20/world/politics/uk-burnham-meet-trump/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon # worldnews # politics # uk # us # andyburnham # donaldtrump # iran
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Wall Street largely led us into this mess, the markets usually correct Trump's actions but the WH basically gamed them with constant briefings to Barak Ravid. Causing Oil price to be suppressed.
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Analysts outline what Burnham needs from Trump
Coverage frames the meeting as a pivotal test for the new PM, noting Burnham, unlike Starmer, is not seeking a repeat encounter and faces added scrutiny appearing alongside Trump.
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1 outlet first by Politico Europe, 6d ago · read ↗
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- 1 day quiet
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Reports confirm Burnham will meet Trump at UN summit
Multiple outlets report Burnham is expected to meet Trump for the first time in person at the UN General Assembly the following week, with Ukraine support a stated priority.
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first by The Times, 8d ago · also Reuters, The Telegraph, Guardian
3 more headlines
- UK PM Burnham to meet Trump in New York, The Times reports Reuters · 8d ago
- Burnham to meet Trump for first time The Telegraph · 8d ago
- Burnham and Trump expected to meet for first time next week as PM steps up presence on world stage Guardian · 7d ago
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first by ITVX, 1d ago · also BBC, Euronews
3 more headlines
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⚡ NEWS Andy Burnham to Meet Trump at UN General Assembly UK Mayor Andy Burnham is expected to meet US President Donald Trump for the first time at the UN General Assembly in New York next week. The meeting aims to drum up international support for Ukraine, marking a significant diplomatic engagement as Burnham steps up his presence on the world…
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Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet
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3 outlets Britain's Burnham to meet Trump and make UN debut after offering UK military support for Saudis
first by pbs.org, 1d ago · also PBS NewsHour, Hindustan Times
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first by Straits Times, 1d ago · also Reuters
and 9 smaller pieces