British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has informed United States President Donald Trump that Iran must never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon, while also restating Britain’s call for the immediate release of British citizen Jimmy Lai.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office released on Wednesday, Burnham met with Trump at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.
Their discussion addressed UK-US relations, trade, migration, and a range of international matters, among them the Strait of Hormuz, Iran, the war in Ukraine, Diego Garcia, the Falkland Islands, and Lai’s case.
The leaders opened by underlining “the value of the closeness of the relationship between the UK and the US” and remarked on their “warm and constructive phone calls” since Burnham took office as prime minister.
Regarding trade, they acknowledged how important it is to both nations, with Burnham pointing out that existing agreements had delivered “clear benefits to British people back home.”
He stated that he was dedicated to “making Britain feel good about itself again” by “setting a clear direction and reindustrialization” and by ensuring it was “a draw-a-line moment for the country.”
Migration was another topic the two leaders covered, with Burnham drawing attention to what the statement called a drop in both small-boat crossings and net migration.
Burnham noted that summer small-boat crossings were “at the lowest in six years” and that net migration had fallen as well, while also recognizing “the valuable contribution made by those who came legally to Britain.”
Moving on to international matters, Burnham and Trump talked about the significance of reopening global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the danger presented by Iran’s nuclear program.
The Prime Minister underlined “how Iran must never have a nuclear weapon” and observed that the conflict had “clearly impacted the cost of living at home.”
The leaders likewise talked about the war in Ukraine and the importance of achieving a lasting peace.
As stated in the statement, Trump acknowledged “the strength of the UK’s support for the Ukrainian people since the war began.”
On Diego Garcia, Burnham stated his commitment to “working with all parties to find a solution.”
The Falkland Islands were also on the agenda, with Burnham making clear that “Britain would stand firm in the face of threats.”
The meeting also took up the case of British citizen Jimmy Lai, with Burnham repeating “the need for his immediate release.”
The statement said the leaders “looked forward to speaking again soon.”
