The Trump-shaped problems awaiting Andy Burnham, ranked
Burnham’s first 42 days were about Britain. Now he has to deal with the U.S. president.
As parliament returns from its summer recess, new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham faces a host of international challenges, particularly in his relationship with the United States and its president, Donald Trump. His first stop in dealing with these looming issues will be the United Nations General Assembly in New York in late September - a meeting where he aims to attend but will also likely visit the White House if Trump is available.
Burnham has downplayed the risks but said he intends to "say what I feel", drawing on lessons from his predecessor Keir Starmer's unsuccessful attempts to please Trump. Like Israeli Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni or Canadian Finance Minister Mark Carney, Burnham may see value in not kissing Trump's ring. However, the U.S. president's administration is said to be perplexed by Britain's hesitancy in his approach.
This could present a "Trump Danger Rating" of 4 out of 5 for Burnham. Additionally, Burnham must navigate tough decisions on oil and gas drilling in the North Sea and the issue of Israeli settlements, both of which could impact his political standing domestically and internationally.
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