Peter Mandelson could ‘use Nigel Farage’ to help woo Donald Trump – after previously calling US president a ‘danger to the world’ and ‘little short of a racist’_Nhy
Peter Mandelson could use Nigel Farage to help woo Donald Trump and Elon Musk, as the Reform UK leader said he would be ‘happy’ to act as a ‘bridge’ to maintain the special relationship between the UK and the US.
It comes after Britain’s next US ambassador once described Donald Trump as ‘little short of a white nationalist and racist’ and claimed the President-elect would never be viewed by Brits as ‘a true embodiment of or spokesperson for our values.’
The comments, made in 2019, appear to have caused a frostiness in US-UK relations, as Trump’s campaign chief Chris LaCivita responded by calling Mandelson a ‘moron’.
The controversial Labour peer, nicknamed ‘the Prince of Darkness’, will be installed in Washington following Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
The Prime Minister previously said he believed the Labour politican had the trade expertise and networking abilities to bolster the UK’s interests.
Now, Mandelson has been given the key task of trying to persuade Trump not to go to war with Britain on tariffs.
But the mission risks being thwarted by X owner and multi-billionaire Elon Musk, who loathes Sir Keir Starmer and his government.
He has frequently branded the PM ‘two-tier Keir’ in reference to ‘two-tier policing’ — a claim to suggest that police treat certain groups of people in different ways.
Nigel Farage poses with US President Elect Donald Trump in front of a bling gold-and-diamond door at New York’s Trump Tower in November 2016
Lord Mandelson said being named as the UK’s ambassador to the US was an ‘honour’
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (right) and party treasurer Nick Candy (left) during their meeting with Elon Musk
The Sun reported Mandelson has now called on No10 to ‘swallow its pride’ and use Farage as a ‘bridge to Mr Musk’ and to Trump.
The Reform UK leader is friends with both men and travelled to the US for talks with Musk just last week.
The Daily Telegraph reported a source close to Mr Mandelson indicated he could call on Mr Farage to help build relations.
‘I am sure that would be a view held by some [to reject Mr Farage’s help] but not those who need to conduct UK-US relations in the most optimum way,’ the source said.
In a podcast with The Times last month, Mandelson signalled his desire to set aside political differences when he was the favourite to become the UK’s next US ambassador.
He said: ‘If I were the Government here, I’d be asking the embassy in Washington DC to find out who his [Musk’s] other British friends are.
‘Who are they all? They have got to be used as a bridge to Musk. And so that’s what I would do. Swallow your pride, find out who his friends are and try to get into those networks. You cannot just continue this feud indefinitely. You’ve got to get over it.’
The Labour grandee added that would include Nigel Farage.
Speaking to The Telegraph on Sunday, Farage said he would be ‘happy’ to act as a ‘bridge’ to Trump.
He said: ‘Our relationship with the USA is by far our most important. If it helped the national interest I would be happy to act as a bridge.’
President-elect Donald Trump listens to Elon Musk as he arrives to watch SpaceX’s mega rocket Starship lift off for a test flight
Mandelson has now called on No10 to ‘swallow its pride’ and use Farage as a ‘bridge to Mr Musk’ and to Trump – Mandelson is pictured here at St Mary the Virgin church in Primrose Hill
Nigel Farage told The Telegraph: ‘Our relationship with the USA is by far our most important. If it helped the national interest I would be happy to act as a bridge’
Following his election win in July, Trump announced that Musk would be tasked with leading his new Department of Efficiency (Doge).
Lord Mandelson got the nod ahead of a string of prominent Labour rivals including former Cabinet ministers David Miliband and Baroness Amos.
His expertise as a former EU trade commissioner could prove vital during what look set to be fraught discussions with the Trump administration over free trade.
He has held several other positions such as European Commissioner for Trade and has more recently been described as a ‘significant influence’ on the office of Starmer and a ‘core part’ of his network.
It was previously speculated by senior Labour insiders in November that if Kamala Harris were triumphant, Labour peer Valerie Amos would stand the best chance of being put in the position.
Lord Mandelson got the nod ahead of a string of prominent Labour rivals including former Cabinet ministers David Miliband and Baroness Amos
Trump announced that Musk (pictured) would be tasked with leading his new Department of Efficiency (Doge)
Although Lord Mandelson had said at the time ‘nobody has spoken to me about it’, the sources said he would be encouraged to take the role because he had the strength of character to deal with Trump – and the experience to handle the critical trade negotiations.
Mandelson previously ran to be Oxford University’s next chancellor but was pipped at the post by Lord William Hague of Richmond.
He did not, however, rule out ‘double-jobbing’ at the time as Britain’s next ambassador to the US while also serving as the university’s chancellor.
The 71-year-old’s entry into the role represents nothing short of a remarkable political comeback for a man who had to resign twice from Tony Blair’s cabinet before returning under Gordon Brown.
He also served as EU trade commissioner and was vigorously anti-Brexit, including running the campaign for a second referendum.
Lord Mandelson is an ally of Morgan McSweeney, Starmer’s chief of staff, and was backed for the role by Mr Lammy.
