Burnham-Trump latest: US president praises PM but hits out at ‘terrible’ Chagos deal

Donald Trump said relations between the UK and US were “more up” than they were under Sir Keir Starmer.

Responding to a question on fluctuating relations between London and Washington, the US president told the press after a bilateral meeting at the UN in New York: “I think you’re up. Well they’re more now than they were with your last prime minister, let me put it that way.”

Mr Trump said the deal over Rolls-Royce was a “deal that nobody else could make”.

He continued: “We made sure that Rolls-Royce was being properly taken care of. We didn’t force them to do things like build the Rolls-Royces in Brooklyn, New York. We didn’t do that.”

He added: “I think right now, based on my relationship with your Prime Minister, Andy, I think we’re doing very well.”

Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin reporting from New York:

For a man who said on the plane to New York that he was looking forward to his meeting with President Trump, Andy Burnham looked extremely nervous.

Sitting awkwardly back in his chair, gripping his hands together, at times his eyebrows reached skywards as Trump began his answers.

But overall he will be pleased with what turned into an impromptu press conference at the end of the first meeting between the two men.

President Trump said the PM was a man he could do business with.He said Britain was a country that was “waiting for success… (and) good leadership”.And asked about the special relationship he said it was better than “with your last prime minister”.

Overall though it appeared as though it was Donald Trump who was in control, perhaps because he is a US leader struggling for friends in Europe.

Donald Trump has branded the UK’s agreement with Mauritius to hand over the Chagos Islands “a terrible deal” and “ridiculous”.

The US president, answering questions alongside Andy Burnham, said: “I don’t support it. I think it’s a terrible deal.

“They all of a sudden say they have ownership, somebody has ownership that never showed up before after decades and centuries. I think it’s ridiculous.”

He said the islands were strategically very important.

“It’s amazing how strategic it is, and I think the Prime Minister is going to be looking at it. It’s very strategic location.”

“It’s a very important piece of real estate, militarily and strategically.”

Mr Trump said: “It’s an honour to be with the prime minister, a great election win.

“I think he’s going to be a great prime minister … we’re with you all the way.”

And he said Mr Burnham was “a natural businessman”.

“This is a country with great patriotism,” Mr Trump has said of the UK.

He said it was just “waiting for success”.

Andy Burnham has said he and Mr Trump discussed the Falklands, Ukraine, immigration and more.

He welcomed Trump’s statement that progress is possible on peace for Ukraine.

Andy Burnham says he has established a good relationship with Donald Trump, and told the president: “We are ready to play our part in the Middle East.”

At least one social-media user has reminded Andy Burnham of a tweet he posted in 2021, which read: “Any UK politician who gave Trump the time of day should be ashamed right now.”