Donald Trump praises UK PM Andy Burnham on North Sea drilling

U.S. President Donald Trump said he was “very impressed” with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham after a phone call in which Burnham indicated a pragmatic approach to North Sea drilling. Trump repeated his claim that opening the North Sea to drilling would make the United Kingdom “wealthy” and warned that keeping it closed would leave the country “bankrupt.” Burnham later clarified that while he would consider “tie‑backs” to existing licences, Labour’s manifesto still opposes issuing new drilling licences.

In parallel commentary, the UK is confronting a severe summer drought, with parts of southeast England receiving little rain and harvests already completed. Farmers report dramatically reduced yields and financial strain, highlighting broader climate‑related challenges facing the country.