Trump says he can do business with Burnham but criticises 'terrible' Chagos deal

Live updates

1. 56m ago

   Trump praises Burnham but slams Chagos deal

   US President Donald Trump stated he can conduct business with new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and praised him as a natural businessman following their first face-to-face meeting at the United Nations General Assembly. However, Trump criticized the UK agreement to hand over the Chagos Islands as a terrible deal. During their discussions, Burnham informed Trump that the Falkland Islands will remain British. Trump also remarked that his relationship with Burnham is better than his previous relations with former Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

   Why it matters

   The meeting marks the first diplomatic engagement between the US president and the newly installed British prime minister during the UN General Assembly. The discussions touch on contentious territorial arrangements and bilateral relations, highlighting points of alignment alongside sharp disagreement over UK foreign policy decisions.

   What is confirmed

   • Donald Trump stated he can do business with Andy Burnham and praised him as a natural businessman.
   • Donald Trump criticized the UK agreement regarding the Chagos Islands.
   • Andy Burnham told Donald Trump that the Falkland Islands will remain British.
   • Donald Trump said his relationship with Andy Burnham is better than his relations with Keir Starmer.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Donald Trump claimed that new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will reconsider the Chagos deal.

   What to watch next

   • Whether the UK government formally alters its position or approach regarding the Chagos Islands agreement following the US criticism.
   • Further bilateral statements or policy coordination between the US administration and the UK government during the UN General Assembly.
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. BBC — Live updates: World leaders due at UN General Assembly
   2. The New York Times — Burnham Hopes for ‘Common Ground’ With Trump in First Meeting
   3. The Guardian — Donald Trump praises ‘natual businessman’ Andy Burnham after first meeting
   4. Reuters — UK PM Burnham says he and US President Trump have established 'good connection'
   5. Bloomberg.com — Trump Criticizes Chagos Deal in First Meeting With UK’s Burnham
   6. PBS — Britain's Burnham to meet Trump and make UN debut after offering UK military support for Saudis
   7. The Guardian — Ella Baron on Andy Burnham’s visit to the United Nations – cartoon
   8. South China Morning Post — Trump criticises UK’s Chagos deal, says new British PM Burnham will reconsider
   9. The Guardian — Call it a win: boredom but no temper tantrums in Burnham’s first face-to-face with America’s King Baby
   10. Reuters — Britain will stand firm over Falklands, UK PM Burnham tells Trump
   11. The Guardian — Trump says relations better with Burnham than Starmer after first face-to-face meeting
   12. BBC — How did Trump and Burnham's first meeting unfold?
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