Andy Burnham Anticipates Meeting with Donald Trump Amidst Previous Criticism

Andy Burnham stated he is 'looking forward' to his first meeting with Donald Trump today while defending his previous criticisms of the US president. The Prime Minister may meet Mr. Trump in the coming weeks, as he is 'likely' to attend the UN General Assembly session in New York. However, Burnham indicated he would not prioritize a meeting with Trump, suggesting he might snub it. During a supermarket visit in London, Burnham acknowledged that Trump has also made controversial statements. He emphasized the importance of finding common ground with people in his role. 'I've had a habit of saying what I feel over the years and I'll continue to do that,' he said. Burnham mentioned a positive phone call with Trump on his first day in office and expressed anticipation for an in-person meeting. He also noted that details of his US trip are not yet fully confirmed, with No10 stating that decisions are still pending. Burnham indicated he might join European leaders in urging Trump to provide more support to Ukraine. This would be Burnham's first visit to the US as Prime Minister, and there is interest in whether he can establish a rapport with Trump. Previous encounters between UK leaders and Trump have had mixed outcomes, with Keir Starmer's initial meeting being viewed as a success before relations deteriorated over differing views on the Iran war. The UN General Assembly is scheduled for September 22 to 28, although it remains uncertain if Trump will attend or if Burnham will visit Washington.