New UK prime minister warns Trump: I will challenge him without hesitation when national interests demand it

Andy Burnham, newly elected head of the UK government, has stated that he will not hesitate to take a stand against US President Donald Trump whenever Britain’s strategic interests require it.

During his first extensive conversation as prime minister with the BBC, Burnham described the initial meeting with Trump as “very warm.” However, when asked directly whether he trusts the president, he did not give a concrete answer. “I cannot say I won’t have differences of opinion with him. If it is right for Britain, I will express them,” he said.

He clarified that “the national interest must triumph above all else” and that he will make his criticisms of Trump known whenever he sees it necessary. In the interview, Burnham also expressed reservations about the way the American president handled the worsening of relations with Iran, underlining that he will openly state his position in such cases.

On defense commitments, Burnham did not set an exact date for raising the military budget to 3% of Gross Domestic Product, but assured that his governing team will work to meet this objective.

Finally, the new prime minister dismissed the scenario of an early election, stressing that his administration’s priority is governing and raising the country “to where it should be.”