Donald Trump wished new British prime minister Andy Burnham luck as he took office on Monday, but warned he has a big job ahead of him as the two leaders plan to discuss looming issues over trade, Nato and the war in Iran.
The US president came away from a phone call with Mr Burnham hailing the “outstanding relationship we have had with the UK” and insisting that the Left-leaning former Manchester mayor will have the backing of the Trump administration.
“The Prime Minister has got a big job ahead of him, but he will be able to do it and, of course, the U.S.A. will be there to help! We discussed North Sea Oil, Trade, the Military Alliance, Demining of the Hormuz Strait, and many other topics,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
“The call was interesting, and went very well. I wished Prime Minister Burnham, GOOD LUCK AND GODSPEED!”
Mr Burnham will take the reins from Sir Keir Starmer at a challenging time for the trans-Atlantic relationship, amid clashes over tariffs on foreign goods, the future of US military commitments in Europe, and British support for Trump’s protracted conflict in the Middle East.
Sir Keir, who for a time appeared to get on with Mr Trump, latterly faced public criticism for his perceived unwillingness to drag the UK into the US-Israeli conflict with Iran and for perceived inaction around the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump had also been publicly critical of the former British prime minister over immigration, energy and tech regulation.
Burnham's office said he assured Trump that London would be committed to defence and security and would support the safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively blocked since the start of the war, causing energy prices to rise.
The importance of the call had earlier been hailed by the British embassy in Washington.
In a post on X, the diplomatic mission said: “Within an hour of taking office, Prime Minister Andy Burnham… spoke with President Donald Trump, underscoring the importance of the UK/US partnership from day one.
“The leaders discussed shared priorities and agreed to remain in close contact.”
During their call, Mr Burnham invited Mr Trump to Manchester, reportedly to coincide with the 2027 G20 Summit, according to the Sunday Times.
Trump’s remarks about Mr Burnham suggest a resetting of relations, despite the president previously describing him as "extremely liberal" and the "mayor of a town".
The US president had said at the time he knew little about Mr Burnham, the MP for Makerfield.
Mr Burnham was buoyed in Mr Trump’s eyes after reports he could back new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea, which the president has championed. Mr Trump claimed at the weekend that people in Aberdeen would be “dancing in the streets” at such a move.
The president, a vocal supporter of fossil fuels, insisted further drilling in the North Sea would “make the United Kingdom, from a Poverty Stricken Disaster, to one of the Richest Countries anywhere in the World”.
The new prime minister previously insisted he would stick to Labour’s manifesto pledge not to issue new North Sea licences, though he has also refused to deny reports that he is considering approving new production.
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