Key facts
- British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump next Tuesday.
- The meeting is scheduled to take place at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
- Burnham's agenda includes pressing Trump for continued U.S. support for Ukraine.
- Britain, France, and Canada recently issued joint sanctions against West Bank settlements.
- Burnham's predecessor, Keir Starmer, had a more high-pressure meeting with Trump in September 2024.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump next Tuesday at the United Nations headquarters in New York. This meeting, expected to be less intense than previous encounters between British leaders and Trump, will prioritize discussions on continued U.S. support for Ukraine.
Unlike his predecessor Keir Starmer, who sought to impress Trump in a two-hour meeting in September 2024, Burnham's approach is anticipated to be more measured. Officials hope the neutral venue and the surrounding events at the UN General Assembly will reduce scrutiny. Burnham has spoken with Trump by phone twice since July, with calls running over their allotted time.
The shift in approach is partly due to a change in the perceived balance of risk. While Starmer's government was focused on establishing new deals, Burnham's administration aims to address unresolved issues. The U.K. government is also mindful of past embarrassments, such as Trump criticizing Starmer over the Iran conflict and oil drilling.
Burnham is not expected to bring a lengthy list of demands but will likely urge Trump to expedite the supply of Patriot missiles to Ukraine ahead of winter. The meeting occurs as global allies, including Britain, are reassessing their strategic alignment with the U.S., with some noting America's perceived unreliability under Trump's leadership.
Separately, Britain's engagement at the UN General Assembly may involve a clash over the U.K.'s stance on Israel, following joint sanctions against West Bank settlements. Britain also hopes to advance humanitarian responses for Gaza.