In comments late on Wednesday, the U.S. leader again repeated his belief that the outgoing Keir Starmer should have opened up the North Sea to more drilling for oil, but refrained from some of his spicier criticisms of the British prime minister.

Andy Burnham, Britain's likely next leader, hasn't said a lot about President Trump, but his few statements have been critical.

If Burnham’s planned leadership bid remains unchallenged, he could replace Starmer in a matter of weeks and it will likely fall on him to heal the rift between Washington and…