US President Donald Trump on Friday, 23 October 2026 said Britain is moving to expand oil production in the North Sea following a conversation with the country's new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham. Speaking to reporters at the White House South Lawn before departing for a campaign rally in Florida, Trump described the development as one that would make the UK a significantly wealthier nation.

What Trump Said

'We discussed the fact that they're opening up the North Sea oil,' Trump told reporters. He went on to say, 'And that's going to make the UK a very rich country.' The President repeated the sentiment later, adding, 'It's going to make the UK a very wealthy country.'

Trump also disclosed that he had been pushing successive British governments on this issue for some time. 'I've been after them to do that for two years,' he said.

Burnham vs Starmer: Trump's Contrast

Trump drew a pointed comparison between Prime Minister Burnham and his predecessor, Keir Starmer. While describing Starmer in broadly positive personal terms, the President criticised him for not advancing North Sea energy expansion. 'He's a very nice man, but he never got it done,' Trump said of Starmer.

He was considerably more complimentary about Burnham's approach. 'And this one is getting it,' Trump said. 'Andy is getting it done.' The President also acknowledged what he framed as a political tension, noting, 'I guess it's against the Liberal principle, but he knows what's right.'

Aberdeen and the North Sea in Focus

Trump indicated that the bulk of his conversation with Burnham centred on energy, specifically the North Sea and the city of Aberdeen, which serves as the hub of Britain's offshore oil and gas industry. 'We mostly discussed Aberdeen and the North Sea,' he said.

The two leaders did touch on broader geopolitical matters, including Iran and Ukraine, but Trump characterised those exchanges as brief. 'We did very very lightly,' he said when asked about those topics.

Context and Significance

The North Sea has been an established oil and gas producing region for decades, with the UK holding significant reserves. Under former Prime Minister Starmer's government, new licences for North Sea exploration faced political headwinds, particularly from within the Labour Party's more climate-focused wing. Burnham's reported shift in stance — if confirmed — would mark a notable change in UK energy policy direction.

Trump's remarks reflect his longstanding preference for expanding conventional fossil fuel production, a position he has applied to American domestic policy as well as to allied nations. Notably, the White House has not released a formal readout of the Trump-Burnham call, and an official statement from the British government had not been issued at the time of reporting.

How Burnham's government formally confirms or qualifies the North Sea expansion — and the timeline attached to any policy change — will be closely watched by energy markets and climate advocates alike.