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Andy Burnham is ready to contradict Trump publicly if necessary.

Andy Burnham is ready to contradict Trump publicly if necessary.
Andy Burnham is ready to contradict Trump publicly if necessary.

New British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has shown his willingness to openly oppose Donald Trump if circumstances require it, during his first major televised interview since entering 10 Downing Street.

Andy Burnham made it clear: he will defend "the national interest above all else," even if it means disagreeing with the American president on camera. This statement, made during his first major television interview since taking office, sets the tone that the new resident of 10 Downing Street intends to set for the transatlantic relationship.

His Secretary of Defense, Wes Streeting, echoed this sentiment. According to him, the Trump administration is not looking for allies who "suck up," but partners capable of confidently expressing their disagreements when the situation demands it.

The two officials thus seem to want to lay the foundations for a relationship with Washington based on frankness rather than deference, contrary to a certain British diplomatic tradition that favoured discretion in frictions with the White House.

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