Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Trump Praises Burnham Despite Dispute Over Chagos Deal
Donald Trump and Andy Burnham met in New York for the first time in person.
Trump said Burnham was a “natural business person” and someone he could work with.
Burnham said the meeting was encouraging and that they had a good connection.
They discussed rising living costs, the Middle East, trade, Ukraine, the Falkland Islands and economic growth.
They did not agree about a plan involving the Chagos Islands and a military base on Diego Garcia.
Trump called that plan a “terrible” deal.
Burnham said he would try to find an answer by working with the countries and groups involved.
After the meeting, Burnham planned to focus on using artificial intelligence to help Britain while creating rules to manage its risks.
US President Donald Trump called British Prime Minister Andy Burnham a “natural business person” after their first face-to-face meeting in New York.
The leaders said they found common ground on living costs, the Middle East conflict, reindustrialisation and economic growth.
Trump criticised the United Kingdom’s agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing Diego Garcia back for military use.
Burnham said he inherited the Chagos issue and would work with the different sides and US partners to find a resolution.
Burnham plans to promote global AI principles while supporting the technology’s economic potential and addressing its risks.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
- What
- They held their first face-to-face bilateral meeting and discussed economic, international and bilateral issues, including AI and the Chagos Islands agreement.
- When
- Tuesday, September 22, during the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
- Where
- New York, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
- Why
- They sought common ground on economic and international issues while addressing disagreements affecting United Kingdom–United States relations.
Burnham’s Position
Trump’s Position
Chagos Islands agreement
Burnham’s Position
Burnham said he inherited the issue and would work with the different sides and United States partners to find a resolution.
Trump’s Position
Trump criticised the agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining access to Diego Garcia, calling it a “terrible” deal.
Artificial intelligence policy
Burnham’s Position
Burnham supports AI’s economic potential but wants a single set of global principles and standards and a clear focus on risks.
Trump’s Position
Trump wants to encourage AI rather than restrict its growth and has said concerns can be handled through the existing justice system without additional regulation.
Falkland Islands
Burnham’s Position
Burnham said he would stand firm for Falkland Islanders’ right to self-determination and to remain British.
Trump’s Position
The reports say the United States was reviewing its neutral position on the islands but do not describe a direct Trump response to Burnham’s statement.
- Meeting duration
- Approximately 40 minutes
- Meeting location
- New York, during the United Nations General Assembly
- Trump’s description of Burnham
- A “natural business person” and someone he could do business with
- Reported areas of common ground
- Cost-of-living pressures, the Middle East conflict, reindustrialisation and economic growth
- Chagos agreement
- The United Kingdom would transfer sovereignty to Mauritius and lease Diego Garcia back for military use; the agreement was described as paused indefinitely in one report
- Trump’s assessment of the deal
- He called it a “terrible” deal
- Burnham’s AI position
- Support AI’s economic benefits while establishing global principles and standards and addressing risks
