Lord Peter Mandelson, the UK’s next ambassador to the US, has praised Donald Trump, saying his presidency will be “one of the most important” in modern times.
In an article for Fox Newshe praised the US president-elect’s “outspoken and negotiating instincts” as well as his “great skill as a political activist”.
These comments stand in stark contrast to comments from 2019, when he called Trump a “danger to the world” and “little short of being a white nationalist.” A top advisor to the Trump campaign later called Lord Mandelson an “absolute moron”.
Known as a key figure in the governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, Lord Mandelson will take up his post as the UK’s envoy to Washington DC in early 2025.
In his article, Lord Mandelson asserts that the British “Atlantic alliance” cannot “profit from its glorious past” but must instead “adapt to new threats and new technological challenges”.
He wrote: “America’s allies must hear the message the American people have sent and calibrate their partnerships to work with and alongside the United States to defend the common interests that bind us.
“Trump’s great skill as a political activist is exploiting sections of an electorate that feel ignored.”
The Republican candidate’s “resounding victory” should be seen by allies as a “significant opportunity to bring entrepreneurial thinking and urgency to resolve a foreign policy that requires concrete solutions,” he added.
“The Trump administration will rightly put the needs of Americans first,” Lord Mandelson said.
“But among her closest allies, she will find old partners open to new ways of managing today’s world – to protect, enrich, and create opportunity for Americans and our own citizens.”
Lord Mandelson will replace Dame Karen Pierce, whose term in Washington DC is set to end by the time Trump enters the White House on Monday.
He also echoed strong US criticism of China and Iran.
Lord Mandelson – who once chaired a public body supporting UK-China relations – said the current Chinese government was “more aggressive abroad and controlling at home” in a way that “ directly challenges Western governments and our values.”
He described Iran as a “completely malevolent force” in the Middle East and added: “We must never allow it to become nuclear-armed.”
