Prime Minister Andy Burnham has invited US President Donald Trump to visit Manchester, raising the prospect that the city could play host to a high-profile appearance connected to the expected 2027 G20 summit.
Invitation made shortly after entering No 10
According to a Downing Street readout, Mr Burnham spoke to President Trump within minutes of taking office and used one of his first calls to extend the invitation to the city he once led. The call also touched on security and defence, and discussed energy matters, including new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.
"The prime minister began by congratulating the President on a successful World Cup and ... hoped that he would be able to show the president what Manchester had to offer during a visit in the future."
The Downing Street statement underlined that Mr Burnham “set out his vision as prime minister” and emphasised his commitment to defence and security. White House sources did not provide further detail on the call.
Local implications and the G20
Reports in the national press say the invitation is planned to coincide with the 2027 G20 summit, which is expected to be held in Manchester. The decision to host the summit at the city would have been taken by Sir Keir Starmer, the report added, while Mr Burnham — who served as the city’s mayor — is likely to welcome the opportunity to showcase Manchester on a global stage.
- Timing: Invitation made in one of Mr Burnham’s first calls after entering Downing Street.
- Subjects discussed: World Cup, defence and security, and North Sea oil and gas drilling.
- Possible tie-in: Planned to coincide with the expected 2027 G20 summit in Manchester.
Reactions and wider context
The invitation comes amid renewed debate about energy strategy: national reporting has linked Mr Burnham with potential support for new North Sea licences, an issue Mr Trump publicly referenced, saying people in Aberdeen would be "dancing in the streets" in response to renewed drilling plans. The former US president has previously made public comments about Mr Burnham’s background, describing him in media remarks as "extremely liberal, extremely."
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Call participants | Prime Minister Andy Burnham and President Donald Trump |
| Main topics | World Cup, defence and security, North Sea oil and gas |
| Potential event | 2027 G20 summit (expected to be in Manchester) |
For Manchester, a presidential visit connected to the G20 would carry obvious diplomatic and logistical implications. Hosting leaders from across the globe would require close co-ordination between local authorities, police and business stakeholders; it would also present opportunities to promote the city’s economy, culture and infrastructure on an international platform.
At this stage, Downing Street’s readout offers a summary of the conversation but does not provide details on any agreed follow-up visits or firm dates. Further announcements would be required to confirm arrangements for visits or the summit itself.
