British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated Wednesday that he intends to find common ground with U.S. President Donald Trump during an upcoming visit to the United States, despite past criticisms of the American leader. Speaking at a London supermarket, Burnham acknowledged his previous remarks but noted that politicians often make various statements, adding that he expects to establish a working connection in the interest of the British public.
The exchange comes after Burnham assumed office as Prime Minister in July. During his previous tenure as the mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham had described U.S. politics as "poisonous" and "polarized," and once suggested that Trump would not be welcome in that city. Recently, Trump characterized the United Kingdom as a "bankrupt country" while also stating he expects to have a "very good relationship" with the new Prime Minister.
Burnham is scheduled to travel to the U.S. in September as part of a delegation of European leaders. The primary purpose of the trip is to lobby for the defense of Ukraine. This will mark Burnham's first official visit to the United States since moving into 10 Downing Street. He confirmed that he and Trump had a phone conversation on his first day in office and said he is looking forward to their first in-person meeting.
For the British public, the outcome of this September meeting could lead to changes in defense spending or shifts in foreign policy priorities. A breakdown in relations or a successful "common ground" approach would eventually be reflected in how the U.K. manages its international commitments and its domestic economic recovery following Trump’s recent description of the country’s financial status. The scale of the economic relationship is significant, as the U.S. remains a primary trading partner for the U.K., impacting sectors ranging from manufacturing to financial services.
The upcoming visit sets a precedent for how the new Burnham administration will handle friction with the U.S. executive branch. Other cabinet members, including Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, have also addressed past criticisms of Trump, such as Miliband’s previous description of the president as "racist." Miliband recently reported that such comments were not raised during his "productive" talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Following the September delegation, the next milestone will be any joint statements or policy agreements resulting from the face-to-face meeting between the two leaders.