Prime Minister Andy Burnham has insisted he will put the UK’s interests first in his dealings with US President Donald Trump, even if it means disagreeing with him. Speaking to the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Mr Burnham said: “I can’t at any point say that I won’t take a different opinion from him [Donald Trump], that I will need to voice a different idea that is right for Britain.”
Defending National Interest
The new Prime Minister said he would publicly disagree with Mr Trump if necessary, adding: “You have to defend your own national interest before anything else. That’s what you’re required to do if you’re to do this job properly.”
Warm Call with Trump
The pair spoke over the phone within an hour of Mr Burnham arriving in Downing Street. After the call, Mr Trump stated on Truth Social that Mr Burnham “has got a big job ahead of him, but he will be able to do it” and pledged that the US “will be there to help”. Downing Street described the 20-minute conversation as “extremely warm”.
Defence Spending and Nato Commitments
Defence policy remained a key issue during the interview. Mr Burnham refused to be drawn on a timetable for increasing spending to 3% of GDP. He said he was “very aware” of Chancellor John Healey’s position and resignation as Sir Keir Starmer’s defence secretary following disagreements. Mr Burnham said: “The first challenge facing us both is to ensure that the defence investment plan is fully funded and that’s the thing that’s right in front of us and we need to work that through as we go towards the budget later this year.”
Mr Healey accused former chancellor Rachel Reeves and Sir Keir of putting the country’s security at risk over the defence investment plan. Sir Keir had said he would increase defence spending by £15 billion, putting the UK on a trajectory for defence spending to hit 3% of GDP in the next parliament, still below the Nato target of 3.5% by 2035. Mr Burnham told reporters on Wednesday that he and Mr Healey wanted to “honour” the UK’s Nato commitments.
Conversation with US Defence Secretary
New Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said he shared a “very warm conversation” with his US counterpart Pete Hegseth. They are thought to have brainstormed ideas for an international conference for allies of the UK and US, but have not yet firmed up details. A source close to Mr Streeting said: “The Defence Secretary had a very warm conversation with Secretary Hegseth. They discussed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and how allies can work together. They also discussed defence investment and the UK’s commitment to meeting our Nato commitments.”
