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Has Burnham proved he can handle Trump? - The Latest

Sep 23, 2026 · 12m

Summary

The Guardian’s policy editor Kieran Stacey analyzes new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first meeting with US President Trump at the UN General Assembly. The discussion covers the effective but deferential nature of their interaction, the likely collapse of the Chagos Islands deal due to US opposition, and Burnham’s announcement of a new National Centre for Information Defence. Stacey also examines the UK’s delicate position in AI regulation between the US and EU, noting Burnham’s decision to proceed with sanctions on Israeli settlements despite internal government advice to wait.

Topics discussed

Intro: Burnham's charm and foreign policy imprint Welcome and introduction of the UN meeting topic Analysis of Burnham's demeanor and meeting with Trump The Chagos Islands deal and US ratification issues Announcement of the National Centre for Information Defence UK's position on AI regulation vs US and EU approaches Burnham's international style and retention of advisors Sanctions on Israeli settlements and domestic political impact Outro, credits, and podcast promotion
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