Burnham says US will remain 'most important ally' amid fears over tensions with Trump... as he backs defence boost to revive UK industry

By JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 09:49, 9 July 2026 | Updated: 09:54, 9 July 2026 Andy Burnham insisted the US will remain Britain's 'most important ally' today as he gave a hint at his foreign policy approach.  The incoming PM said the so-called Special Relationship will remain 'critical' amid concerns about how he will deal with Donald Trump. The Republican president has admitted he does not know much about Mr Burnham beyond that he is 'extremely liberal'. For his part the former Greater Manchester Mayor said in 2017 that he would refuse to meet Mr Trump as a 'matter of principle' because he had shared 'hateful extremist material'.  The new premier will need to navigate flashpoints including the White House threatening punitive tariffs over 'digital tax' plans, as well as tensions over the Iran war and Nato.    Writing in the Times, Mr Burnham said he wanted 'stability where it matters most'.  Andy Burnham said the so-callled Special Relationship will remain 'critical' amid concerns about how he will deal with Donald Trump  'Our commitment to Nato and the UK's nuclear deterrent will remain absolute. Our relationship with the US will remain critical as our most important defence and security ally,' he said. 'And Britain's support for Ukraine will not waver.' However, in a sign that the Chagos 'surrender' deal is still being pursued despite objections from America, Mr Burnham said its champion Jonathan Powell would stay in post as No10's national security adviser.   Mr Burnham effectively endorsed Keir Starmer's defence investment plan, despite anger that the £15billion boost over the next four years is not funded. But he stopped short of laying out any timetable for spending 3 per cent of GDP on the military. Mr Trump has pushed Nato into agreeing a 3.5 per cent goal by 2035.   Mr Burnham made clear he wanted to use extra defence investment to 'back British workers and businesses'.  'This means we must go further than ever before through the defence investment plan in backing British resilience, using a sustained increase in defence investment not only to provide the kit our armed forces need, but also to generate economic growth in communities that have seen opportunities drain away,' he said. 'We will do this by boosting our sovereign capabilities in areas where we already have incredible strengths and in the tech of the future from shipbuilding and energetics to AI and quantum. 'We will also focus on reducing foreign dependency, securing inward investment and building new industrial partnerships with allies.  'Reindustrialisation through defence - and other sectors - is critical for both our economic and national security. It will be a core priority for me. Mr Burnham also signalled that he will try to get closer to the EU.   Donald Trump has admitted he does not know much about Mr Burnham beyond that he is 'extremely liberal' As well as working in 'European-led groupings' such as the E3 with France and Germany, that involves 'consolidating the progress made on UK-EU negotiations and make further progress quickly'. He said agreements should 'strengthen our co-operation on illegal migration, economic security and resilience to external threats from terrorism to AI-driven disinformation'. Mr Burnham hinted that there will be no rethink on the European Human Rights Convention (EHRC), saying 'our backing for international law and international institutions extends UK influence'.