Article UK is 'ready to play our part in the Middle East,' British premier tells Trump

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https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/uk-is-re...mp/4065193

The UK is "ready to play our part in the Middle East" conflict, British Premier Andy Burnham told US President Donald Trump during their first meeting in New York on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Burnham said the UK was prepared to help with efforts to stop the conflict and "open the Strait [of Hormuz]."

"We're with you that Iran must never be a nuclear power," he told Trump. Burnham said the two discussed "issues on trade" and "the Falklands," as well as immigration. He said he had spoken about his "commitment to get [immigration] to a controlled approach."

The prime minister also welcomed Trump's earlier statement that progress was possible on peace in Ukraine. Asked whether Burnham was "a man you can do business with" despite their political differences, Trump replied: "Yeah, I do."

"I think he's a natural business person, we've had a lot of discussions, even before this meeting we were talking with each other numerous times on the phone," Trump said. "He gets it. He understands what he has to do."

Trump also spoke about immigration under his administration, while Burnham said it had been a "very big issue" at the Makerfield by-election that he won. "Progress is being made," the prime minister said.

Trump said there was "tremendous patriotism in Britain" but that the country was "waiting for good leadership, waiting for success."

"It has been great to be with you and the team today," Burnham said. "This relationship matters so much to us. And we will build on that relationship. You and I have established a good connection in our early discussions, and we’ve taken that further today."

The two politicians have previously clashed sharply over policy, but are now seeking to establish a pragmatic working relationship. In 2017, Burnham, then mayor of Greater Manchester, said the president would not be welcome in the city. Two years later, he said he would refuse to meet Trump if he visited.

Since becoming prime minister in July, however, Burnham has stressed the importance of finding areas of agreement with political opponents, saying he always tries to find "common ground."

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Translation: we'll let you use our airbases.

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UK to revisit Chagos Islands deal after Trump rejects terms
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/uk-to-re...ms/4066196

Britain is set to take another look at its agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, after US President Donald Trump made clear that he does not support the deal in its current form.

UK Defense Secretary Wes Streeting told the BBC on Wednesday that Washington’s position became clear following Trump’s description of the agreement as a “terrible deal” during talks with Prime Minister Andy Burnham at the UN General Assembly in New York.

Under the agreement negotiated by former Premier Keir Starmer’s government, Mauritius would take sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago, while Britain would pay about £101 million ($136 million) a year on average to retain access to the joint UK-US military facility on Diego Garcia.

The arrangement was put on hold indefinitely in April after Trump withdrew his backing. Streeting said the government would now work with the US to alter the agreement sufficiently to secure its support.

“We have to do more work with our American allies, with President Trump and his administration, to get the deal to a place where he can support it,” he said.

The future of Diego Garcia is at the center of the dispute. Britain has maintained that uncertainty over the island’s sovereignty could threaten the long-term security of the base.

Mauritius disputes the existing territorial settlement, arguing that it was compelled to surrender the islands in 1965 as part of the process leading to independence. Starmer said he had “inherited the situation” and that a resolution was needed, stressing the importance of protecting the base.

The government is not expected to launch a formal review with a fixed timetable. According to the BBC, officials have indicated that the fundamental position remains unchanged: any final agreement would need the backing of the United States.