Trump says relations better with Burnham than Starmer after first face-to

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Published: 2026-09-22T20:11:57.161Z • Permanent link

Donald Trump has asserted his relationship with the UK is "more up" with Andy Burnham than under Keir Starmer during their meeting at the UN assembly in New York. Trump praised Burnham as a "natural businessperson," highlighting their potential for future economic collaboration. This assertion comes as a surprise, given Trump's previous criticisms of the UK's Labour Party and Burnham's leadership. Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has been a vocal critic of the UK government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have contributed to Trump's perception of him as a more pragmatic leader.

Trump's comments were made during a private meeting with Burnham, which was arranged by a group of business leaders. The meeting took place at the UN General Assembly, where Trump is currently attending. Trump has long been a vocal critic of the UK's Labour Party, and his comments on Burnham are seen as a significant departure from his previous stance. Burnham's leadership style and economic policies are seen as more business-friendly than those of Starmer, which may have contributed to Trump's assessment.

Burnham's office has declined to comment on the meeting, but sources close to the Mayor have confirmed that he was briefed on Trump's comments. Burnham's team has also been in contact with Trump's advisors, exploring potential areas of collaboration between the two countries. The meeting is seen as a significant development in the UK-US relationship, and may pave the way for increased economic cooperation between the two nations.

Trump's comments on Burnham have significant implications for the UK-US relationship, particularly in the context of the ongoing trade tensions between the two countries. The UK has been seeking to strengthen its economic ties with the US, and Trump's assessment of Burnham as a "natural businessperson" may be seen as a significant boost to these efforts. However, the comments also raise questions about the UK's ability to navigate the complex web of US politics, particularly given the ongoing trade tensions.

The comments have also sparked concerns about the potential impact on the UK's Labour Party, which has been critical of Trump's policies. Starmer has been a vocal critic of Trump's trade policies, and his comments on Burnham may be seen as a further indication that the Labour Party is out of step with the UK's business community. The comments may also have implications for the UK's research communities, which have been critical of Trump's approach to science and technology policy.

The comments have significant implications for the Data Sources domain, particularly in the context of the ongoing debate about the role of big data in business decision-making. The UK's business community has been seeking to strengthen its ties with the US, and Trump's assessment of Burnham as a "natural businessperson" may be seen as a significant boost to these efforts. However, the comments also raise questions about the potential impact on the UK's research communities, which have been critical of Trump's approach to science and technology policy.