Peter Mandelson’s recent appointment as the UK’s ambassador to the United States comes at a challenging time, as the US prepares for Donald Trump’s second term. Kim Darroch, the former UK ambassador to Washington, advised that Mandelson must ensure his voice is the most influential in Trump’s ear to effectively represent Britain’s interests.
Darroch warned that Trump’s second term would be chaotic, comparing it to a constant “24/7 bar-room brawl.” He also emphasized that Mandelson would need a “thick skin” to withstand the harsh criticism often directed at him by Trump’s supporters, such as the campaign adviser who called him an “absolute moron” after his appointment.
Despite the insults from Trump’s allies, Darroch and other senior diplomats expressed confidence in Mandelson’s ability to handle the pressure. Darroch, who resigned from his ambassador role in 2019 after leaked communications criticized Trump’s first administration, believed that Mandelson’s vast political experience would equip him to manage the volatile relationship.
Foreign Office sources also came to Mandelson’s defense, dismissing the attacks from Trump’s camp as irrelevant. Darroch advised that Mandelson should not be overly concerned with such remarks, as they were part of the unpredictable nature of Trump’s style.
The chaotic environment under Trump’s administration will require a strong ability to manage unexpected crises, according to Darroch. He warned that Mandelson would need to be prepared for situations like Trump’s infamous “5am tweet storms,” which often led to confusion in London.
Peter Mandelson Faces Diplomatic Trial as UK Envoy Amid Trump’s Tumultuous Second Term
However, Darroch was confident that Mandelson’s experience in high-stakes politics would help him manage the chaos. He also noted that Mandelson should focus on making his voice the most important one in Trump’s ear, especially given the strength of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s position in British politics during Trump’s second term.
One factor that will influence the UK-US relationship is the ongoing connection between Trump and Nigel Farage, a figure with whom the president has a close rapport. Darroch acknowledged that Farage would play a role in shaping relations between the two countries and that the UK government would need to accept this reality.
Farage himself has offered to act as a “bridge” for Mandelson to strengthen connections with Trump, given the significance of the relationship between the US and the UK. However, the UK government has generally resisted involving Farage in formal diplomatic dealings, preferring traditional diplomatic channels.
Mandelson, in a recent podcast, suggested that the UK government should be willing to put aside pride and engage with Trump’s political networks, even if it meant cooperating with controversial figures like Farage. Despite this, UK officials have been cautious about directly involving Farage in intergovernmental relations.
Mandelson’s appointment is a pivotal moment for UK-US diplomacy, with the UK now facing the challenge of maintaining strong relations with the US while managing the complexities of Trump’s second term and Britain’s political situation.
