On 20 July, US President Donald Trump and newly installed UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham held their first telephone conversation, which Trump described as “very good” on his Truth Social platform. The call took place hours after Burnham received the monarch’s appointment to form a government, succeeding Keir Starmer. Both sides confirmed that the discussion covered North Sea oil, bilateral trade, the US-UK military alliance, and efforts to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz. Trump announced that the two leaders would meet “in the not too distant future” to address matters of mutual interest.

According to a Downing Street readout, Burnham underscored that defence and security remain at the top of his government’s agenda and reiterated the UK’s commitment to ensuring safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global energy supplies. Trump, for his part, updated the prime minister on the situation in the Middle East and publicly pledged that “the U.S.A. will be there to help.” The White House later confirmed the call, though it did not release additional details. European officials, including European Council President António Costa, separately welcomed Burnham’s appointment and expressed hope for deepened cooperation with London.

Viewed from Washington, the warm tone marks a shift from Trump’s earlier characterisation of Burnham as “extremely liberal.” Analysts in London note that Burnham’s reported openness to new North Sea oil and gas licensing—a policy long championed by Trump—may have contributed to the positive reception. The conversation signals a potential reset in transatlantic relations at a moment when the UK is seeking to redefine its post-Brexit role and manage economic headwinds. Burnham, a former mayor of Greater Manchester, has promised the most sweeping changes to Britain’s political and economic model in four decades, including reindustrialisation and a more collaborative style of governance.

Burnham becomes the seventh British prime minister in a decade, a turnover that European capitals view as a symptom of persistent political instability since the 2016 Brexit referendum. His first foreign leader call with Trump, followed by a scheduled conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, signals the new government’s immediate diplomatic priorities. The state of the dossier is now one of early engagement: a face-to-face meeting between Trump and Burnham is expected, though no date has been set, and the prime minister’s office has indicated it looks forward to welcoming the US president to Manchester. Further calls with European allies are anticipated in the coming days.