Andy Burnham is expected to meet with Donald Trump in Manchester next year for the G20 Summit, it has emerged, after the pair spoke for the first time just minutes after the new prime minister entered No 10.
Mr Burnham reportedly extended the invite to the US president in one of his first calls since entering Downing Street.
While White House sources offered no details of the phone call, new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea is understood to also have been discussed.
This follows reports Mr Burnham could back new fossil fuel production, leading Mr Trump to declare on Truth Social that people in Aberdeen would be "dancing in the streets".
Mr Burnham invited the US president to Manchester during their phone call, a Downing Street spokesperson said, saying the new prime minister “hoped that he would be able to show the president what Manchester had to offer during a visit in the future”.
It was later reported in the Sunday Times that the invitation is planned to coincide with the 2027 G20 summit, which is expected to take place in Manchester.
While the decision to host it there would have been taken by Sir Keir Starmer, Mr Burnham would be keen to show off the city he spent so long in charge of.
Asked previously what he knew about Mr Burnham, the president said: “I don’t know, I think I see that he was, I guess, the mayor of a town.
“I hear he’s extremely liberal, extremely.”
In a readout of the call, a Downing Street spokesperson said: "The prime minister spoke to the president of the United States, Donald Trump, shortly after taking office this afternoon.
"The prime minister began by congratulating the President on a successful World Cup and agreed that England had an excellent tournament.
"The prime minister also hoped that he would be able to show the president what Manchester had to offer during a visit in the future.”
The spokesperson also said Mr Burnham “set out his vision as prime minister” and “underlined his commitment to defence and security”.
One day before Mr Burnham entered Downing Street, Mr Trump weighed in on rumoured plans for controversial new drilling in the North Sea, claiming the new prime minister will open oil fields “all the way”.
The US president – a vocal supporter of fossil fuels, who has repeatedly dismissed the scientifically backed evidence behind the climate crisis – said the move would prevent Britain from becoming a “poverty stricken disaster”.
Mr Burnham previously insisted he would stick to Labour’s manifesto pledge not to issue new North Sea licences. But he has also refused to deny reports that he is considering approving new production.
On his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump said: “The People of Aberdeen, in Scotland, are dancing in the streets because the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has stated that he will be opening up, all the way, the invaluable North Sea Oil!”
The comments mark the start of a potentially turbulent relationship with Britain’s fifth prime minister in four years.
Throughout Monday, Mr Burnham has received congratulations from world leaders. Senior figures from the European Union seized the opportunity to call for closer EU-UK relations, while Ukraine’s president said he would speak to Mr Burnham later in the day.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said she looked forward to working with Mr Burnham for the “prosperity of people on both sides of the Channel”.
She said in a post on X: “Congratulations, dear Andy Burnham, on your confirmation as Prime Minister.
“I look forward to working with you to strengthen the EU-UK partnership.
“For the security of our shared continent. And the prosperity of people on both sides of the Channel.”
The president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, said: “In the last two years EU-UK relations gained a new, positive momentum. I look forward to continuing to further deepen our co-operation for the benefit of our citizens and businesses.
“The United Kingdom and the European Union are stronger together.”
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said he wished Mr Burnham “every success in addressing the challenges of today”.
He said: “Britain has always been one of the global leaders. We are ready to work together in all possible formats.
“We highly appreciate the UK’s political, defence and values-based support. The foundation of our bilateral relationship is stronger than ever, and we will continue to make each other stronger. I’m looking forward to our conversation later today.”
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said: “Congratulations Prime Minister Burnham on your appointment as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
“Australia and the United Kingdom are longstanding friends, allies and partners, united by shared values and deep ties between our peoples.
“I look forward to working with you to strengthen our partnership and promote security, resilience and prosperity in the years ahead.”
French President Emmanuel Macron, who worked closely with Sir Keir Starmer on a coalition of the willing for Ukraine and a future mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz, said: “I extend my congratulations to Andy Burnham on his appointment as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
“In the face of the challenges that unite us, I hope that we will deepen our relationship in service of our peoples and by giving new momentum to the partnership between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
“I also wish to commend the action of Keir Starmer, whose commitment to serving his country has helped to strengthen co-operation between the United Kingdom, France and our European partners.”
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni said: “Congratulations and best wishes for a successful tenure to the new Prime Minister.
“Italy and the United Kingdom are bound by a deep friendship and a collaboration that, over the years, has grown ever stronger, also thanks to our joint work on key dossiers fundamental to our nations: from managing migratory flows to the major international crises, always addressed with a great spirit of collaboration.
“I am certain that we will continue down this path, strengthening our strategic partnership in the interest of our nations and our citizens.”
German chancellor Friedrich Merz said: “Congratulations to Andy Burnham on taking office as Prime Minister. Germany and the United Kingdom are close partners. I look forward to working together.”
