Andy Burnham’s first meeting with Donald Trump appeared to be going exceptionally well—until a reporter raised the contentious issue of the Chagos Islands.
The unpredictable US president seemed determined to behave impeccably. There was none of the ferocious criticism seen during his notorious Oval Office confrontation with Volodymyr Zelensky, nor any repeat of the “he’s no Churchill” barbs once directed at Keir Starmer as their relationship deteriorated.
Instead, Mr Trump warmly forecast that Mr Burnham would become a “great Prime Minister”, declaring: “We’re with you all the way!”
The PM did not interrupt when Mr Trump congratulated him on a “great election win” and described the lifelong politician as a “natural businessman”.
Sensitive subjects, including immigration and the Middle East, were raised and passed without the President losing his temper.
That changed when the discussion moved to the controversial Chagos deal, prompting Mr Burnham to grimace.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stared coldly at the reporter who asked the question, while National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell—who negotiated the Chagos agreement with Mauritius—sat impassively as President Trump condemned the “terrible deal”.
“I don’t support it, I think it’s terrible,” he said, adding: “I think the Prime Minister is going to be looking at it.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham and US President Donald Trump during their first face-to-face meeting in New York yesterday. The mercurial president appeared to be on his best behaviour
Mr Burnham grimaced as the questions turned to the controversial Chagos deal
Later, the PM appeared to suggest for the first time that the agreement he had defended the previous evening could be abandoned if he fails to secure President Trump’s backing.
For Downing Street, the intervention was an unwelcome blemish on an otherwise productive trip. Behind the scenes, aides were said to be thrilled with the meeting, arguing that Mr Burnham’s relaxed manner had helped him establish a rapport with a president who places greater emphasis on personal relationships than detailed policy.
The PM casually remarked that he had merely “inherited” the agreement, a comment unlikely to end speculation in Westminster that Mr Powell could be forced to leave his post.
The visit also came at a difficult moment for the new PM, just days after his father’s death and on the eve of his first Labour conference as leader.
“I’m all right,” he told reporters during the flight to New York. “I’ve not had the easiest [week]… I’m OK.”
In a 40-minute question-and-answer session over the Atlantic, the PM—wearing dark jeans and a suit jacket—appeared to be embracing the role despite the formidable challenges ahead.
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“I’m really excited about it, because I’m going to be talking about British leadership in a new era,” he said.
There is an unwritten rule at diplomatic gatherings: world leaders are always keen to meet the new arrival. How did they rise to power? What will they do to retain it? And what consequences will their leadership have for the rest of the world?
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband fixed the questioner with a death stare after they asked about the Chagos Islands
Privately, aides were delighted by the meeting with Mr Trump, saying Mr Burnham’s easy-going style helped forge a bond with a president who values personal relationships over detailed policy
And so, No 10 had no trouble organising a string of one-to-one meetings with senior figures including EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, President Zelensky, Australian PM Anthony Albanese and a walk and talk with Spanish PM and fellow socialist Pedro Sanchez in New York’s Central Park.
In all, he met 25 leaders in 24 hours – a form of international speed-dating he hopes will limit the need to emulate Sir Keir’s endless foreign travel.
But it was the Trump encounter – described by one of the PM’s team as ‘white-water rafting’ – that focused attention.
Two British Prime Ministers have flown out for their first presidential audience with Donald Trump in the last couple of years.
British foreign policy has barely changed over the period, bar a hardening of the stance on Israel.
But the approach of the two men could barely be more different.
When Sir Keir visited Washington DC in February last year, the travelling party was gripped by tension and fear.
Flying out on Monday night from Stansted Airport, Mr Burnham was anxious to make what he called a ‘good connection’ with a president he once described as ‘poisonous’. But the atmosphere on the flight out was far less fraught.
In part, this was due to Mr Burnham’s more laid-back style. Although new to the role, he appears more comfortable in his skin than Sir Keir ever did.
But the circumstances have also moved on.
One diplomatic source said the ‘situation around the President has changed’, adding: ‘People used to think that the way to get on with Trump was to kiss the ring – and that is no longer the case. I think there’s a view now Trump doesn’t really respect you until you’ve fallen out with him. So there is less walking on eggshells than there was.’
But, as Sir Keir can attest, falling out with Mr Trump is not much fun either. For now, at least, Mr Burnham is fixed with keeping him onside.