New York, September 22, 2026 — US President Donald Trump said he believed he could do business with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham following their first face-to-face meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The meeting brought the leaders together at a time of significant international tensions, including the war involving Iran, the conflict in Ukraine, and disagreements over the future of the Chagos Islands and its strategically important military base.
Although Trump expressed a positive view of his working relationship with Burnham, he criticized the UK's plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. The comments highlighted the continuing challenges facing the United Kingdom and United States as they seek to coordinate their foreign policy priorities.
Trump Describes Burnham as Someone He Can Work With
During a news conference following their meeting, Trump responded positively when asked whether Burnham was a person with whom he could do business.
Trump described the British prime minister as a natural businessperson and indicated that the two leaders had already held several telephone conversations before their first in-person meeting.
The exchange suggested an effort to maintain a constructive public relationship despite differences over a range of political and international issues.
The UK-US relationship was one of the key themes surrounding the meeting, with trade, immigration, security and international conflicts forming part of the wider diplomatic agenda.
Trump Criticizes Chagos Islands Agreement
One of the main points of disagreement was the proposed agreement concerning the Chagos Islands, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean.
The islands include Diego Garcia, which hosts a strategically important joint US-UK military facility. Under the agreement previously negotiated by the United Kingdom, sovereignty of the Chagos Islands would be transferred to Mauritius while the UK would retain access to Diego Garcia through a long-term lease.
Trump said he did not support the arrangement and described the deal as terrible, emphasizing the strategic importance of the island to the United States.
The agreement has faced opposition from Washington, and its implementation has remained uncertain. Burnham has indicated that the UK intends to work with Mauritius and the United States to seek a resolution that protects the continued operation of the military base.
UK and US Face Differences Over International Policy
The meeting also took place against a backdrop of disagreements on several foreign policy matters.
Among the issues discussed in the wider UN meetings were the conflict in Ukraine, tensions involving Iran, and the UK's decision to impose sanctions connected to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Burnham defended the UK's decision to take action, arguing that governments must follow through on their stated positions when policies threaten the possibility of a two-state solution.
The discussions reflected the diplomatic challenge of maintaining close relations between Washington and London while each government pursues its own policy priorities.
Ukraine and Possible Future Peace Talks
Trump also met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the UN gathering.
Questions surrounding the future of the war with Russia remained part of the diplomatic agenda. Trump discussed the possibility of additional meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, while also referring to discussions with Zelensky about the conflict.
The United States and its partners continue to face pressure to address the war, military support for Ukraine, and the prospects for future negotiations.
The discussions at the UN took place as leaders considered the broader security challenges affecting Europe and the international community.
Iran Talks Add to Diplomatic Focus
Iran was another major issue surrounding Trump's appearance at the United Nations.
According to the supplied BBC live coverage, Trump said that US and Iranian representatives had held a meeting lasting several hours. He described the discussions as productive, although the details of the meeting and the identities of all participants were not fully established in the provided report.
Reuters separately reported on September 22 that Trump said talks with Iran were continuing and expressed optimism that a settlement could eventually be reached. The situation remained subject to further diplomatic developments.
What the Trump–Burnham Meeting Means for UK-US Relations
The first face-to-face meeting between Trump and Burnham provided an opportunity for both governments to discuss their relationship at a time of international uncertainty.
Trump's public comments were positive toward Burnham, while his criticism of the Chagos Islands agreement demonstrated that important strategic disagreements remain.
The future of the UK-US relationship will depend on how the two governments handle differences over security, foreign policy, trade and international cooperation.
The meeting at the United Nations was one step in an ongoing diplomatic process, rather than a resolution of all the issues facing the two countries.
Conclusion
Donald Trump's meeting with Andy Burnham at the United Nations highlighted both cooperation and disagreement between the United States and the United Kingdom. Trump said he could work with the British prime minister, but his criticism of the Chagos Islands deal showed that strategic questions remain unresolved.
As discussions continue over Ukraine, Iran, international security and the future of Diego Garcia, the UK-US relationship will remain an important subject in global diplomacy.
.jfif)
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