Lord Mandelson expected to be named as UK ambassador to US
Lord Peter Mandelson is anticipated to be appointed as the United Kingdom's next ambassador to the United States.
The prominent Labour figure, who held several ministerial positions during the tenures of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown before becoming a life peer in the House of Lords, was seen as one of the leading candidates for the role.
He will take over from Dame Karen Pierce, whose tenure in Washington DC is set to conclude in early 2025.
As one of the key figures behind New Labour, Lord Mandelson was regarded as an important consultant to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in preparation for the 2024 election.
In that election, he was one of the presenters on the Times' How To Win An Election podcast. At the same time, he held positions as a trustee for the Design Museum and as the chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University.
His name was associated with the position of chancellor at the University of Oxford, where he had previously studied, but the role ultimately went to former Conservative leader Lord William Hague.
Regarding the position of US ambassador, he mentioned in November, "No one has really discussed it with me."
Lord Mandelson, 71, shared during an interview on the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg that he prefers establishing a new kind of relationship with the US rather than a special one. He also expressed a keen interest in offering guidance on trade to whoever is assigned that responsibility.
His selection occurs just before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on January 20.
Trump has vowed to implement extensive tariffs on his first day in office, and experts estimate that this could lead to a £22 billion loss for the UK.
On Thursday, Sir Keir emphasized the importance of ensuring that the UK steers clear of any tariffs in response to Trump's statements. He also expressed his desire to strengthen trade relations with Washington.
According to a government official: "The Prime Minister's decision to make a political appointment and send Lord Mandelson to Washington highlights the significance we place on our relationship with the Trump administration."
"We're appointing a trusted individual who has exceptional political and policy expertise, especially in the vital area of trade. He is the perfect person to advocate for the UK's economic and security priorities in the United States."
Both the White House and the Trump campaign were informed beforehand about the appointment.
In November, during an interview with the News Agents podcast, Lord Mandelson expressed that Donald Trump’s new presidency would significantly affect global security and economic stability.
"We really need to build a connection with President Trump that allows us to comprehend his actions and also have an impact on them," he stated.
He mentioned that the Labour government ought to make an effort to "reestablish ties" with Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and ally of Trump. Musk has expressed criticism toward Sir Keir's administration and has recently been appointed leader of a new advisory group within the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge).
Lord Mandelson represented Hartlepool as a Labour MP from 1992 until 2004. During his tenure, he held key roles as Secretary of Northern Ireland and Secretary of State for Business under Prime Minister Blair. He stepped down from his position as an MP in 2004 to take on the role of European Commissioner.
He stepped down from his ministerial role on two occasions—first due to not disclosing a home loan he received from a fellow cabinet member, and again because of allegations that he had improperly used his authority to sway a passport application.
