Burnham says he will challenge Trump when UK interests demand it - BBC reports

Burnham says he will challenge Trump when UK interests demand it - BBC reports centers on UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first major interview since taking office. Speaking to the BBC, he said he is prepared to challenge U.S. President Donald Trump when necessary to protect the UK’s national interests. Burnham described their initial exchange as positive, saying Trump was “really warm,” but he declined to answer directly when asked whether he trusted him, arguing the world is changing and governments must respond as events develop. He also voiced concern about Trump’s decision to begin the conflict with Iran, linking it to higher oil prices, inflation risks, and pressure on government borrowing costs. Burnham said the UK might take a more independent approach in parts of foreign policy, without detailing plans to alter the broader U.S.-UK security relationship. On defense, Chancellor John Healey resigned as defense secretary after pushing the former government toward spending of 3% of GDP by 2030. Burnham declined to commit to that deadline, saying the government’s first task is fully funding the existing defense investment plan before deciding how to meet wider spending goals, which will feed into preparations for later this year’s budget. He ruled out an early general election, with the next expected by 2029.