Trump Says He Can Work With Burnham but Calls Chagos Deal ‘Terrible’

First Face-to-Face Meeting

US President Donald Trump has said he believes he can work effectively with new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham after the two leaders met for the first time on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Trump described Burnham as a “natural business person” and said their relationship was developing positively.

Trump Criticises Chagos Islands Agreement

Despite the positive tone, Trump strongly criticised Britain’s agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. He called the deal “terrible” and “ridiculous”, arguing that the islands are strategically important because they host the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.

Diego Garcia at the Centre of Dispute

Under the agreement, Britain would transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining a 99-year lease over Diego Garcia and its military facilities. However, the legislation needed to implement the agreement has been paused following opposition from Washington.

Burnham Seeks a Resolution

Burnham has said Britain will work with Mauritius and the United States to find a way forward over the disputed arrangement. Before travelling to New York, he spoke with Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and said he remained committed to finding a resolution, although no agreement had yet been reached.

Disagreement Over Israeli Settlement Sanctions

The meeting also comes amid differences between Washington and London over Britain’s decision to impose sanctions connected to illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Burnham defended the move, saying the UK had to act based on its position on the issue.

Ukraine Also Discussed

Ukraine was another major issue surrounding the meeting. Trump again said he believed an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine was approaching, while Burnham has continued to press for international support for Ukraine. Their discussions also covered trade, energy and wider security issues.

Trump Issues Warning to Iran

Trump also used his time at the UN to warn Iran that continued confrontation with the United States could have severe consequences. At the same time, he said he believed a settlement could eventually be reached and suggested negotiations could progress after the US midterm elections in November.

AI and Global Cooperation

Artificial intelligence was another issue surrounding Burnham’s UN visit. The British prime minister has called for international cooperation to manage AI-related risks, while Trump has promoted US leadership in advanced technology and referred to AI as “super intelligence”.

Leaders Gather at the UN

The meeting took place during the annual UN General Assembly, which brings together leaders from around the world. Nearly 130 heads of state and government are attending the week-long gathering in New York to address major international political, economic and security issues.

UK-US Relationship Faces Key Tests

The first meeting between Trump and Burnham produced a mixture of cooperation and disagreement. While both leaders highlighted their positive personal interaction, disputes over the Chagos Islands, Iran, Ukraine and Middle East policy remain important issues for the UK-US relationship.