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Positioned among a crowd of cameras, I was determined to catch former President Donald Trump’s attention and pose a question, all the while observing a leader attempting to appear magnanimous. Trump, known for his sharp tongue, can display warmth when he chooses, and this encounter was no exception. Sitting beside him was Andy Burnham, who not long ago held the position of mayor and now stood beside one of the world’s most powerful figures. Burnham openly expressed his anticipation for the meeting beforehand, though some nervousness was evident upon our entrance into the room.
Initially, reporters were meant to join the meeting right after the handshake of these two figures, but instead, we were made to wait while the men conducted private discussions. This delay, however, allowed them to share more thoughts about their meeting and each other. Burnham, like many aware of Trump’s unpredictable nature in public debates, knew well the volatile and often unrestrained nature of these encounters. Being present was akin to a rollercoaster ride without any safety precautions.
Once I managed to come within Trump’s line of sight, I seized the moment at the conclusion of Burnham’s introductory statement to ask a question. I queried whether the prime minister was someone Trump could do business with, despite their differing political views. Trump replied warmly, calling Burnham “a natural business person” and emphasizing their numerous phone conversations prior to the meeting. “Yeah, I think so, I think so. He gets it. He understands what he has to do,” Trump said, casting a friendly light on the relationship—a reassurance that may have calmed nerves at Downing Street.
The setting was far from grand, taking place in a nondescript, windowless room at the United Nations basement rather than the White House’s Oval Office. Though the location possibly eased the formal tension, the question remained as to how long Trump’s amicable tone would last. Some potentially contentious topics, such as immigration and the Burnham government’s sanctioning of West Bank settlements—a move that angered Israel—passed without incident. However, the discussion took a more pointed turn over the future of the Chagos Islands. Trump openly criticized Britain’s decision to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius while leasing the Diego Garcia military base, labeling the arrangement “terrible.” Burnham acknowledged Trump’s interest, replying simply, “yep,” suggesting the possibility of reconsideration.
Later, I conducted a brief interview with Burnham on behalf of several broadcasters. Describing the encounter as “very encouraging” and noting that a “good connection” had been established, Burnham remained cautious about the Chagos issue. When asked if the deal might change, he described it as an agreement he had “inherited” but affirmed ongoing efforts to find a resolution. This implied that alterations were not off the table. While confrontations with Trump seem inevitable for most international leaders, Burnham appears willing or at least prepared to engage on some of these challenges, with the Chagos dispute likely among them. Following this initial face-to-face meeting, Burnham left with a relationship he could build upon, transitioning to more conventional diplomatic interactions during his remaining engagements at the United Nations
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