Andy Burnham 'to meet Donald Trump in New York next week' as tensions rise with US over Iran war, Ukraine, Falklands and AI

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 03:32 EDT, 16 September 2026 | Updated: 03:37 EDT, 16 September 2026 Andy Burnham is poised to meet Donald Trump for the first time as he visits New York next week.The PM is expected to hold face-to-face talks with the US president as they attend the UN General Assembly.Mr Burnham has suggested he will use the trip to lobby Mr Trump to give more support to Ukraine, and shrugged off concerns about his previous jibes at the Republican.But the encounter will be a diplomatic minefield with Transatlantic tensions running high over issues such as the Middle East crisis, Russia, Falklands, Irish unification and regulation of tech firms.Earlier this week Mr Trump described the Labour premier as a 'very nice guy' but 'on the liberal side'.He also caused a storm by seemingly backing a merger between Northern Ireland and the Republic - something that was flatly rejected by the UK Government. Andy Burnham is poised to meet Donald Trump for the first time as he visits New York next week Earlier this week Mr Trump described the Labour premier as a 'very nice guy' but on 'on the liberal side'In recent weeks the president has hinted he would not support Britain if Argentina tried to claim the Falkland Islands again.He linked the dispute to the UK's reluctance to get involved in the US-Israeli war against Iran, which has caused chaos in global energy supplies.There are reports that US officials have privately complained about the Government's online safety legislation and the prospect of under-16s being banned from social media. The UK and America have also taken different positions on AI development, with Mr Trump dismissing the need for 'guardrails' apart from having a 'very high IQ' president. Keir Starmer's initial meeting with Mr Trump was seen as an unexpected success, although relations later soured over his refusal to participate in the Iran war.Downing Street sources said Mr Burnham's meetings in New York were not yet finalised. As Manchester Mayor Mr Burnham insisted he would not give the American politician 'the time of day', and suggested he would snub a meeting. Last month Mr Burnham insisted Mr Trump had 'said things as well'.'Everyone says things as politicians. In the moment you meet people where they're at, and you find a connection with people, and that's always been my style,' he added.'I've had a habit of saying what I feel over the years and I'll continue to do that.'But, at the same time, I am somebody who works with people, tries to find common ground, and obviously that's what I should be doing in this job in the British public's interest, and I will always take that approach.'So, I'm looking forward actually to my first meeting. We had a good phone call on my first day in office and looking forward to meeting in person.'