Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he will disagree with US President Donald Trump if necessary, including in public, in his first big broadcast interview since entering Downing Street.
Key facts
- Andy Burnham gave his first big broadcast interview since becoming prime minister.
- Burnham said he would disagree with Donald Trump if necessary, including in public.
- He promised to 'defend national interest before anything else'.
- Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the Trump administration was not looking for allies who 'suck up'.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he will disagree with US President Donald Trump if necessary, including in public, according to the Guardian. The comments came in Burnham’s first big broadcast interview since he entered No 10.
In the interview, Burnham promised to “defend national interest before anything else”, signalling how he intends to approach the relationship with the United States and its president.
His remarks were echoed by Wes Streeting, the new defence secretary, who said he did not believe the Trump administration was looking for allies who “suck up”. Instead, Streeting suggested the administration wanted partners with the confidence to set out disagreements when needed.
The framing from both the prime minister and his defence secretary points to an approach in which the UK government is prepared to voice differences with Washington openly rather than avoid disagreement in the name of alliance.
The Guardian reported the comments as part of coverage of Burnham’s first major broadcast appearance since taking office, marking an early public statement of his stance toward the Trump administration.
Why it matters
How a new UK prime minister positions himself toward a US president shapes one of the country's most important international relationships. Burnham's willingness to disagree publicly signals a tone for transatlantic relations that could affect defence, trade and diplomacy.
Frequently asked questions
What did Andy Burnham say about Donald Trump?
According to the Guardian, Burnham said he would disagree with Trump if necessary, including in public, and promised to defend the national interest before anything else.
When did Burnham make these comments?
He made them in his first big broadcast interview since becoming prime minister, reported by the Guardian on 26 July 2026.
What did the defence secretary say?
Wes Streeting said he did not believe the Trump administration was looking for allies who 'suck up', but rather those with the confidence to set out disagreements when needed.