British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is travelling to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, where he is expected to meet US President Donald Trump for the first time since taking office in July.
The visit will be Burnham’s first major international diplomatic engagement and an early test of his pledge to defend British interests, including when they differ from Washington’s position.
Burnham is expected to discuss Ukraine, the Middle East, climate action and artificial intelligence with world leaders. He has also called for greater air defence support for Ukraine, including US Patriot systems, as the war with Russia continues.
Unlike his predecessor Keir Starmer, who sought to build a close relationship with Trump, Burnham has said he is prepared to disagree with the US president when he believes it serves Britain’s interests. He has nevertheless stressed the importance of maintaining cooperation with Washington.
Burnham has spoken with Trump at least twice since becoming prime minister, describing the conversations as warm and cordial. His government has also supported restrictions on goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, a policy backed by 12 countries.
The prime minister is also expected to discuss defence cooperation. He has pledged to increase defence spending and use investment to support British jobs, while saying national security spending should not come at the expense of social security.
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