UK PM Andy Burnham to Meet Trump for First Time at UN in New York

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to meet US President Donald Trump for the first time in person on Tuesday, during the UN General Assembly gathering in New York. The conversation is expected to be dominated by the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Burnham is anticipated to press Trump on supplying more interceptor missiles to Ukraine, and to discuss restoring shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, largely blocked since the US-Israeli war with Iran began in February.

Since taking office in July, Burnham and Trump have spoken twice by phone, with Trump describing Burnham as "a nice guy." Previously, as mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham had said Trump was not welcome in the city and that he would refuse to meet him. Since becoming prime minister, however, Burnham has said he intends to seek "common ground" with Trump and adopt a pragmatic approach to US-UK relations.

A diplomatic balancing act

Analysts say Burnham should brace for criticism over his government's decision to ban trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Olivia O'Sullivan of the Chatham House think tank said Burnham faces a delicate balancing act, wanting to build rapport with Trump while also conveying the European position on continued support for Ukraine, and likely using his time at the UN to raise concerns about Gaza and West Bank settlements.

Other points of friction with Washington could include regulation of US tech companies, immigration, and energy policy. Recent remarks by Trump backing Irish unification and questioning the future of the Falkland Islands have also unsettled the UK government. Burnham was among leaders who welcomed a recent deal between Greenland, Denmark and the US that bolsters American military presence on the island while keeping it under Danish sovereignty, following earlier threats from Trump to take control of Greenland.

Burnham is due to address the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, laying out his vision for Britain's role in an increasingly fractured global order.