Andy Burnham’s first conversation with Donald Trump was ‘extremely warm’, Downing Street says
Andy Burnham’s first meeting with Donald Trump has been described as “extremely warm” by Downing Street following the US leader’s positive assessment of the phone call.
The Makerfield MP received an early endorsement from Mr Trump as the debate began an hour after Mr Burnham arrived in Downing Street.
In other diplomatic developments, newly appointed Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to hold his first bilateral talks with his US counterpart Marco Rubio.
The talks are expected to take place during Mr Miliband’s visit to the Philippines for the ASEAN summit on Wednesday.
However, Downing Street will not capitalize on any potential future plans for North Sea drilling, although Mr Trump has advocated for a change in policy under Mr Burnham’s leadership.
The meeting between Mr Burnham and the US leader reportedly lasted about 20 minutes.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman told reporters: “It was an extremely warm call and I think that was reflected in the readings on both sides.”
After the meeting, Trump said the new prime minister “has a big job ahead of him, but he can do it” and promised that the United States “will be there to help.”
This will allay fears after the Republican president previously described Mr Burnham as an “extreme liberal” and “a town mayor”.
The British embassy in Washington praised the importance of the call as “highlighting the importance of the UK-US partnership from day one”.
It marks a new beginning in the transatlantic partnership after relations with Sir Keir Starmer became increasingly tense over the Iran war.
Mr Burnham will continue to allow the US to use UK bases for defensive strikes against Iran as attacks from both sides increase again.
He agrees with Sir Keir’s decision to maintain the current policy before it is handed over to Mr Burnham on Friday, Bloomberg reported.
Mr. Burnham brightened up in Mr. Trump’s eyes following news that Trump might support new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea that the president backs.
Mr Trump said over the weekend that people in Aberdeen would be “dancing in the streets” in the face of such a move, although this has not been confirmed.
The president, a strong supporter of fossil fuels, stressed that further drilling in the North Sea would “take the UK from a Poverty-Strength Disaster to one of the Richest Countries in the World”.
In his Truth Social post, Mr. Trump said the two discussed North Sea oil, trade and demining the Strait of Hormuz.
Downing Street on Tuesday sidestepped questions about whether Mr Trump had the correct impression of Mr Burnham’s plans for North Sea oil.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman pointed to Mr Burnham’s earlier remarks about “the need to make the economy work for everyone. In terms of the North Sea and plans for that, we will of course update when we get an update”.
Mr Miliband, who held the energy and net zero emissions briefing under Sir Keir, has been a strong supporter of Labour’s manifesto commitment to the North Sea.
Labour’s 2024 manifesto stated the party would not issue new North Sea licences.
Newly appointed Energy Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh said the manifesto made it clear there was room to leverage existing licenses and that oil and gas were “part of the mix” going forward, but whether there were plans to go further was not considered.
“We are trying to move the country into a transition period that will last until 2050. We are aware of the role and the important role that oil and gas will play.”
He said Mr Miliband would “wow” his US counterparts when asked about reports that the Trump administration was unhappy with Mr Miliband’s appointment as Foreign Secretary.
“He’s super strategic. He’s super smart. He builds great relationships, so there’s no doubt he’s going to fascinate everyone in the United States,” he added.
