Sir Peter Mandelson, a former Labor cabinet minister and EU commissioner, is set to become Britain’s next ambassador to Washington, with the immediate task of avoiding a trade war with Donald Trump.
Mandelson will take up the post next month, British government officials said, following Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent appointment of the veteran Tony Blair-era slugger.
Starmer chose Mandelson to replace Dame Karen Pearce, who has worked in Washington since 2020 and is known as the “Trump Whisperer” for her close contact with the incoming US president and his team.
Mr Mandelson’s expertise in the field of trade – he was trade secretary under Gordon Brown and was responsible for the EU trade portfolio in Brussels – will be crucial in his new role.
Downing Street is expected to approve Mr Mandelson’s appointment on Friday, and Mr Trump’s team has already been notified, with Mr Starmer urgently seeking to build a good relationship with Mr Trump.
Government sources said Jonathan Powell, Tony Blair’s former chief of staff and now Starmer’s national security adviser, was among those who urged the prime minister to select Mandelson.
Mr Mandelson also had the support of Foreign Secretary David Lamy and Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney Starmer. Powell and McSweeney met with Trump’s team in Florida and Washington earlier this month.
For Starmer, appointing Mandelson is something of a risk given Labour’s high profile and ability to attract controversy.
But Mr Mandelson’s supporters say he has extensive international experience, including as EU trade commissioner from 2004 to 2008, and previously served as a cabinet minister in the Blair government.
President Trump has threatened to impose global tariffs on US imports, and Mr Mandelson’s first task will be to persuade him not to impose tariffs on British exports.
Mr Starmer said he “totally rejects” the idea that Britain has to choose between the US and the EU on trade issues. Mr Mandelson also believes better trade terms can be agreed with both countries.
He said on the Times’ “How to Win an Election” podcast earlier this year: We have to find a way to have our cake and eat it too. ”
Mr Mandelson’s appointment was first reported by the Times and followed several weeks of deliberation. Sources said Mr Starmer was unhappy last month with a report in the Financial Times that Mr Lamy was supporting Mr Mandelson’s candidacy. “He felt like he was being bounced off,” said one ally.
Downing Street insiders were also irritated by Mr Mandelson’s suggestion that British reform leader Nigel Farage could be a useful “bridge” to the new Trump government.
But in the end Mr Starmer decided to draw on Mr Mandelson’s experience and political common sense – he first came to prominence as Labor’s communications director in the 1980s – to manage the new Anglo-American relationship. .
Mr Mandelson was recalled from Brussels by Mr Brown in 2008 to rescue his ailing government, and his political mastery earned him the nickname “Prince of Darkness”.
He takes over the job in Washington as a political appointee rather than a career diplomat, succeeding former Labor foreign secretary David Miliband, who was also rumored to be involved in the job.
“Donald Trump will know that Peter comes from a political background in the British government and is speaking with the authority of the prime minister,” said a source close to Starmer.
“He’s obviously used to diplomacy from his work during his EU trade days, but he’ll need to hone those skills a bit and remember that he’s a diplomat, not a minister,” Lamy said. I broke the news to Mandelson last week.
Although Prime Minister Mandelson insists Britain can secure better trading terms with the United States, British ministers are highly skeptical that a full free trade deal with the United States is possible.
The United States would demand British market access for American agricultural products in such negotiations. Some foods, such as chicken soaked in chlorine, are banned in the UK.
Trade expert David Henig said Mandelson could succeed. “Trump is running a medieval court,” he added. “In such an environment, someone who can keep track of who’s joining and who’s leaving becomes invaluable. Noble Lords prove to be quite good at that.”
But Henig said Mandelson and Britain should avoid getting drawn into trade talks with the United States, which “would draw attention to disagreements with the United States and the president’s angry tweets.”
Mr Mandelson told friends that his new job meant he had to keep his business profits in “cold storage”.
He co-founded Global Counsel, an international advisory firm, and remains active in public life. He recently lost his bid to become chancellor of the University of Oxford.
Mandelson also has strong ties to China, but he is unlikely to highlight that part of his resume during his time in Washington. Until 2023, he was Honorary Chairman of the Great Britain China Centre, a non-departmental public body supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Department.
There had been speculation in Whitehall that Pierce’s stay at the Washington embassy might be extended given his proximity to Trump’s team. She helped arrange an early meeting between Mr Starmer and Mr Trump at New York’s Trump Tower in September and facilitated discussions with the prime minister’s staff.
Mr Pearce has been linked to a vacancy in the permanent secretary position at the FCDO in London.
