UK politics latest: Burnham insists he can ‘trust’ Trump ahead of first meeting with US president

The prime minister’s first face-to-face meeting with Mr Trump will take place in the margins of the UN gathering as the Ministry of Defence stepped up co-operation with American counterparts on the next generation of drones and artificial intelligence (AI) systems.

Mr Burnham’s previous criticism of the president and Mr Trump’s unpredictability, recent comments about Irish unification and hostility to UK immigration and clean energy policies make it a diplomatically awkward challenge for the Prime Minister.

Mr Burnham said he could “trust” the US president and the special relationship was as strong as ever.

He said: “When you come into this job, you realise how deep this relationship is.

“We trust our allies. Of course, we do.”

Asked if he trusted Mr Trump personally, the prime minister replied: “Yes.”

Holly Evans22 September 2026 07:17

Andy Burnham to tell United Nations that UK is not ‘on the slide’

Andy Burnham will insist the UK is not “on the slide” and attempt to draw a line under 10 years of post-Brexit turbulence as he makes his United Nations debut as prime minister.

He will address the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday after his first face-to-face talks with US President Donald Trump.

Mr Burnham will say he has a “really upbeat message” about the UK, although he acknowledged there were long-term issues which needed to be addressed to improve living standards.

The prime minister’s trip to New York comes ahead of the Labour Party conference later this month, a crucial first Budget of his premiership in October and the unveiling of his 10-year plan for the country.

He told reporters accompanying him on the visit: “The plan for Britain is about ‘what is our direction over the next 10 years and how do we make life more affordable for people’. That is my main priority, that’s what people are looking for.

“I hear people saying the country is on the slide – we’re the fastest growing in the G7, there’s lots to be proud of, there’s a lot right with the country and I’m going to give a really upbeat message when I speak.”

Mr Burnham said “we can be hopeful about where we’re going, we can draw a line under the last decade and say this next one’s going to be different”.