Donald Trump issues 'bankrupt' Britain warning and tells GB News about phone call with Andy Burnham

Donald Trump has warned Britain is at risk of being a "bankrupt" country and opened up about his first phone call with Andy Burnham.

The US President, who spoke with the UK's new Prime Minister on July 20, responded to a question from GB News while addressing reporters in the Oval Office.

Speaking out about the main challenges facing Europe, Mr Trump reiterated his concern about the UK struggling to grapple with the small boat crisis and its longstanding refusal to drill in the North Sea.

However, the 47th US President revealed Mr Burnham expressed a willingness to explore expanding operations off the coast of Scotland.

Mr Trump said: "Look, you have to stop illegal immigration in Europe. I know you're better than anybody, better than the people that run it and have great relationships.

"Two things are killing Europe. Number one is immigration. Number two is energy.

"When you look at the UK, they have one of the best energy fields in the world, North Sea oil.

"Now, I think your new Prime Minister is going to actually open up the.

"From what I hear, I spoke to him and he sounded terrific on this subject.

"But if you open it up, you'll be a wealthy country. If you keep it close, you're going to be a bankrupt country, which is what you are now.

Essentially, you're a bankrupt country, but you have one of the greatest energies, the North Sea oil.

He added: "You know, the UK buys its energy from Norway, who gets the energy from the North Sea?

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"Not as vibrant a part of the North Sea, oil-wise. You're sitting on top of gold.

"And it's better than gold. And you don't do anything with it. It doesn't work.

"You don't allow the oil companies in, and it doesn't work."

Discussing his call with Mr Burnham, Mr Trump added: "I spoke with your new Prime Minister. I was very impressed.

"I said, look, 'You can be a wealthy country or a bankrupt country'."

Labour’s 2024 manifesto vowed not to issue North Sea licences and Mr Burnham previously promised to stand by commitments made in the manifesto that delivered a large majority for Labour.

However, Mr Burnham told his US counterpart that he will be “pragmatic” about North Sea oil, leaving the door open for future drilling in the area.

The Prime Minister said: “I indicated in the phone call that we had a week last Monday that I would take a pragmatic approach when it comes to the North Sea, and that is my intention as we go forward from here."

The Prime Minister promoted Ed Miliband, who was a strong supporter of Labour's North Sea manifesto commitment, to the post of Foreign Secretary after entering No10.

Meanwhile, new Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh has said the manifesto was clear there is scope to exploit existing licences and that oil and gas are “part of the mix”.

However, she was not drawn on whether there are plans to go any further.

Despite Mr Burnham previously criticising Mr Trump, the US President claimed he was looking to have a "good relationship" with the Prime Minister.