JASON GROVES: Burnham survived his 'white-water rafting' meeting with Trump… but Chagos made him grimace

Andy Burnham’s debut encounter with Donald Trump was going swimmingly until a pesky reporter mentioned the Chagos Islands.The mercurial US President appeared to be on his best behaviour. There was no sign of the vicious attacks deployed in his infamous Oval Office clash with Volodymyr Zelensky – and none of the ‘he’s no Churchill’ jibes aimed at Keir Starmer as their relationship disintegrated.Instead, Mr Trump genially predicted Mr Burnham would make a ‘great Prime Minister’, adding: ‘We’re with you all the way!’The PM felt no need to correct Mr Trump as he congratulated him on a ‘great election win’ and hailed the lifelong politician as a ‘natural businessman’.Potentially tricky issues like immigration and the Middle East came and went without the President erupting.But Mr Burnham grimaced as the questions turned to the controversial Chagos deal.Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband fixed the questioner with a death stare. National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, who negotiated the Chagos giveaway with Mauritius, sat expressionless as President Trump savaged the ‘terrible deal’.‘I don’t support it, I think it’s terrible,’ he said, adding: ‘I think the Prime Minister is going to be looking at it.’ Prime Minister Andy Burnham and US President Donald Trump during their first face-to-face meeting in New York yesterday. The mercurial president appeared to be on his best behaviour Mr Burnham grimaced as the questions turned to the controversial Chagos dealSure enough, the PM later hinted for the first time that the deal he had defended the night before could be dropped if he cannot win over President Trump.For Downing Street this was a fly in the ointment of an otherwise successful trip. Privately, aides were delighted by the meeting with Mr Trump, saying that Mr Burnham’s easy-going style had helped forge a bond with a president who values personal relationships over detailed policy.The PM airily said he had only ‘inherited’ the deal anyway – a comment that will do nothing to quell Westminster speculation that Mr Powell may be on his way out.The visit came at an awkward time for the new PM, falling just days after the death of his father on the eve of his first Labour conference as leader.‘I’m all right,’ he told reporters on the flight to New York. 'I’ve not had the easiest [week]… I’m OK.’During a 40-minute question and answer session over the Atlantic, the PM – clad in dark jeans and a suit jacket – gave every impression he is relishing the job, despite the massive challenges he faces.‘I’m really excited about it, because I’m going to be talking about British leadership in a new era,’ he said.It’s an iron rule of diplomatic gatherings that world leaders always want to meet the new guy. How did they get to the top? What are they going to do to stay there? What will it mean for us? Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband fixed the questioner with a death stare after they asked about the Chagos Islands Privately, aides were delighted by the meeting with Mr Trump, saying Mr Burnham’s easy-going style helped forge a bond with a president who values personal relationships over detailed policyAnd so, No 10 had no trouble organising a string of one-to-one meetings with senior figures including EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, President Zelensky, Australian PM Anthony Albanese and a walk and talk with Spanish PM and fellow socialist Pedro Sanchez in New York’s Central Park.In all, he met 25 leaders in 24 hours – a form of international speed-dating he hopes will limit the need to emulate Sir Keir’s endless foreign travel.But it was the Trump encounter – described by one of the PM’s team as ‘white-water rafting’ – that focused attention.Two British Prime Ministers have flown out for their first presidential audience with Donald Trump in the last couple of years.British foreign policy has barely changed over the period, bar a hardening of the stance on Israel.But the approach of the two men could barely be more different.When Sir Keir visited Washington DC in February last year, the travelling party was gripped by tension and fear.Flying out on Monday night from Stansted Airport, Mr Burnham was anxious to make what he called a ‘good connection’ with a president he once described as ‘poisonous’. But the atmosphere on the flight out was far less fraught.In part, this was due to Mr Burnham’s more laid-back style. Although new to the role, he appears more comfortable in his skin than Sir Keir ever did.But the circumstances have also moved on.One diplomatic source said the ‘situation around the President has changed’, adding: ‘People used to think that the way to get on with Trump was to kiss the ring – and that is no longer the case. I think there’s a view now Trump doesn’t really respect you until you’ve fallen out with him. So there is less walking on eggshells than there was.’But, as Sir Keir can attest, falling out with Mr Trump is not much fun either. For now, at least, Mr Burnham is fixed with keeping him onside.READ MORE: Putin has been dividing Britain by exploiting Brexit, Burnham claimsREAD MORE: Burnham urges world leaders to unite to keep AI from destroying humanityDAILY MAIL COMMENT: The PM, the reins of power and some very twisted priorities on Chagos and Brexit