US president used talks on UN sidelines to renew his attack on Britain's sovereignty deal over the strategic military archipelago — even as he praised the new prime minister as a "natural business per...

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via ABC News: Top Stories — Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump for the first time

US President Donald Trump has criticized a British agreement regarding the Chagos Islands during his first face-to-face meeting with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Trump expressed strong disapproval of the deal, calling it 'terrible' and 'ridiculous,' and stated that he does not support the transfer of sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, including a US military airbase, to Mauritius. The President argued that the facility is strategically important to the United States. Trump's comments also highlighted tensions between the US and the UK, as he has previously bristled at the UK's refusal to support US military actions, including a war on Iran. During the meeting, Trump praised Burnham as a 'natural business person' whom he could work with, but his criticism of the Chagos Islands deal threatens to strain relations between the two leaders. The discussion took place amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to address regional security concerns, particularly in the Middle East, where the US has been engaged in military operations. The UK's decision to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, which include a strategic US airbase, has been a point of contention, with Trump insisting on the importance of maintaining US strategic interests in the region. This meeting underscores the complex diplomatic landscape facing both nations as they navigate their relationship under the current administration. The Prime Minister of the UK faces significant challenges in building a cooperative relationship with the US President, given the divergent views on key international issues. The incident also reflects broader geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning the Middle East and the strategic importance of military bases in the Indian Ocean. As the UN General Assembly continues, the focus remains on global security and diplomatic engagement, with this meeting serving as a microcosm of the challenges in international relations.

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Prime Minister Andy Burnham and US President Donald Trump held their first face-to-face meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between the two leaders. During the meeting, Trump claimed that relations between the US and UK are 'more up' under Burnham than they were under his predecessor Sir Keir Starmer, stating that he believes the relationship is 'better now than when Starmer was PM.' Trump praised Burnham as a 'natural businessman' and 'great prime minister,' highlighting their positive interaction. The two leaders discussed various topics including trade, energy, immigration, the Falklands, Ukraine, and the Chagos Islands. Trump criticized the UK's deal to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius as 'ridiculous' and a 'terrible deal,' while Burnham pledged to work hard to find a resolution to the dispute. Notably, the leaders expressed contrasting views on artificial intelligence: Burnham described AI as 'one of the biggest challenges we all face' and advocated for 'global principles and standards' to govern its development, whereas Trump rejected any global scheme to control AI, referring to it as 'super-intelligence.' Burnham also emphasized the UK's 'positive story' to counter post-Brexit turbulence, while Trump expressed confidence in the UK's leadership and potential for success. The meeting concluded with Trump stating that he and Burnham had 'established a good connection' and that they were 'doing very well' in their relationship. Despite Burnham's initial nervousness, as noted by analysts, the encounter appeared to be a diplomatic success for the UK, with Trump's positive remarks potentially bolstering Burnham's position domestically and internationally. The discussion also touched on Rolls-Royce, with Trump claiming credit for ensuring the company's proper management without forcing production in Brooklyn, New York. Overall, the meeting highlighted both areas of cooperation and potential friction between the two nations, particularly regarding AI governance and territorial disputes.

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