Trump says he doesn't know Burnham well, predicts he would block North Sea oil development; Burnham once said politicians who gave Trump attention should be ashamed

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Andy Burnham, a lawmaker widely mentioned as a candidate for the next UK prime minister [AP]
Andy Burnham, a lawmaker widely mentioned as a candidate for the next UK prime minister [AP]

Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his immigration and climate policies, turned his attention to Andy Burnham — a lawmaker widely discussed as a potential next prime minister — calling him "extremely liberal" and signaling a negative view.

Trump made the remarks Wednesday at the White House in Washington after meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, when reporters asked whether he knew anything about Burnham. "I don't know him well. I think he was a mayor of some city," Trump said. Burnham previously served as mayor of Greater Manchester.

Trump added that he had heard Burnham was "extremely liberal — extremely," and suggested that meant Burnham would likely not be open to North Sea oil development.

The British Labour government has been pushing to expand renewable energy and has declined to approve new oil development projects in the North Sea. Trump has repeatedly criticized Starmer on the same issue, accusing him of blocking North Sea development.

Trump repeated that criticism Wednesday, claiming Britain was paying more by buying oil from Norway, which produces it from the North Sea. "Norway has $2 trillion in the bank, but the UK is dying," he said. The $2 trillion figure appears to refer to assets managed by Norway's sovereign wealth fund, commonly known as the oil fund.

Asked whether he would be the first world leader to meet Burnham if Burnham became prime minister, Trump said no. "I think we have different beliefs," he said.

The Daily Telegraph reported that a Trump ally said Burnham was so unknown at the White House that officials did not even recognize his name.

Analysts say that if Burnham succeeds Starmer, building a working relationship with Trump could prove difficult — not only over energy policy, but also over immigration and defense spending, two issues on which Trump has persistently pressed Britain.

According to the Guardian, Burnham posted on X, formerly Twitter, during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot that "any British politician who has given Trump the time of day should be ashamed of themselves."

Burnham also said during campaigning for a by-election held June 18 that American politics had become polarized and toxic.

Starmer and Trump held multiple summit talks last year and projected a cordial relationship, but the two sides clashed after Britain declined to actively support the United States during the war with Iran.


mokiya@heraldcorp.com