While the UK’s top diplomat in Washington said Britain would “not necessarily agree” with every detail of the new US president’s agenda, he said the government must respect Donald Trump’s “strong and clear mandate for change” and “understand what drives him”.
Peter Mandelson admits concern over looming Trump tariffs and urges UK government to share views in private Lord Mandelson said the government can make its views known ‘privately and directly’.
On how the UK could try to persuade Mr Trump to change his position on certain policy areas without alienating his administration, the new ambassador told the BBC: “Well, we’ve got to take all these issues as they come, realise that the president has a very strong and clear mandate for change in the United States.
Lord Mandelson said he was concerned about the possibility of tariffs on the UK, but added: "We actually have a very balanced trade relationship between Britain and the US.
Lord Mandelson, a former minister and key architect of the party’s renewal in the 1990s, said his “priority” in his new role would be to help encourage an investment relationship with the US fit for the 21st century.
