Lord Peter Mandelson UK’s ambassador to the USA

Donald Trump divides the world into friends and enemies. The charmless, dubious Mandelson will never obtain a free-trade deal while the British government mounts a China charm offensive. Trump will see our man in Washington as China’s man in London. This will confirm everything his friend Nigel Farage says about the corruption of Britain’s elite, and confirm Farage as the real link between Trump and the UK.

Although I wouldn't trust Mandelson one inch, I would not describe him as charmless, in fact I think he could be the opposite. Dubious probably.

Trump is so simplistic.

It’s looking very much that Trump hasn’t got many friends amongst the congressmen of his own party, it and he’s going to have all on getting anything done within the USA, so I doubt Mandelson is losing a lot of sleep about taking on this role.

Mandelson is a tough cookie, and used to taking and giving the brickbats, whatever else people may say about him.

David49

petal53

However if Trump’s aids think he is a moron they are sadly mistaken and will find him to be a wily and slippery character I think.

They have both voiced contempt for each other so mutual dislike is the starting point, in reality little of the actual negotiation is going to be face to face with Trump, I’m not expecting any favours from the US. There is one area that US wants access - US food, Beef, GM cereals, Poultry, I hope that is not on the agenda for a deal.

There is one area that US wants access - US food, Beef, GM cereals, Poultry, I hope that is not on the agenda for a deal.

So do I. But I think it might be.

Of course, we can - at present - choose what we put in our shopping baskets if we are concerned about the country of origin vis-à-vis food standards.

According to Which?...

Labelling could also be open to challenge as part of the trade deal, as the US takes a different approach to labelling of production methods, and has previously challenged country of origin labelling.

... and has previously challenged country of origin labelling... hmm...

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Donald Trump divides the world into friends and enemies. The charmless, dubious Mandelson will never obtain a free-trade deal while the British government mounts a China charm offensive. Trump will see our man in Washington as China’s man in London. This will confirm everything his friend Nigel Farage says about the corruption of Britain’s elite, and confirm Farage as the real link between Trump and the UK.

I am sorry, I think you so wrong. Mandelson, is certainly not charmless and he is a successful and astute negotiator. His rise in politics and wealth has been as a result of his ability to exercise his networking and negotiating skills to his own advantage.

Do not make the mistake of underrating someone's abilities because you, personally, do not like them.

Vito

An inspired post. Mandleson is more than a match for Trump and his ilk.
He is as slippery and devious as an eel, exactly what is needed.

You could be right.
He may appeal to Trump as he has a chequered reputation and has been described as manipulative.
Two good matches.

Just when the US thought things couldn't get any worse than another dose of Trump, up pops the Prince of Darkness to add to the jollifications.

He's just the man for this tricky job.

Starmer needs people whose strings he can pull. He is showing more and more how unsuitable he is to govern this country.

Mandelson certainly understands trade negotiations and of course personal insults are stock in trade for politics.

Whatever concessions we get are going to be matched by concessions to the US, we have take care because if we want closer ties with EU, any concessions that allow US import the EU does not accept will cause other problems

I do wonder if the reasons for sending Mandelson have been accurately assessed by posters. Also, making such a political appointment is hardly a first.

Many in the country still seem to assume that this government's aims are the same as the lasts, or that they mirror their own. Even the ultra-right Tories, decimated in number in the last election, carried on in Parliament as if they were in government, not opposition. In the process they have made themselves look immature, weak and yet to understand how democracy works. They have all the the insight of an arrogant new university student, who did well at school and think they are a) very clever and b) know everything about how the world they have entered works. Such views are soon disabused.

May I suggest that looking at what Starmer's government is trying to achieve will give more insight into why Lord Peter Mandelson has been appointed than reading the comic level reporting of our (so called) main stream media. There are days when it sounds more Desperate Dan than decisive debate.

I should have said "some" posters in the first line. No edit facility!

David49 your points are well made.

Freya5

A Bill Gates look alike. The Prince of Darkness. The King of spin. Sacked by Blair for not telling about a loan. Then again after a passport scandal involving the Hinduja brothers.
Thought he could be the next Oxford Chancellor, failed.
What a choice for the most important diplomatic role for the UK.

It’s a stupid choice for ambassador isn’t it? Trump already dislikes Starmer for sending Labour activists across there to help Kamala Harris, now we have Mandelson arriving in an important diplomatic role when he’s slagged off Trump publicly.Just unbelievable really.

PoliticsNerd

I do wonder if the reasons for sending Mandelson have been accurately assessed by posters. Also, making such a political appointment is hardly a first.

Many in the country still seem to assume that this government's aims are the same as the lasts, or that they mirror their own. Even the ultra-right Tories, decimated in number in the last election, carried on in Parliament as if they were in government, not opposition. In the process they have made themselves look immature, weak and yet to understand how democracy works. They have all the the insight of an arrogant new university student, who did well at school and think they are a) very clever and b) know everything about how the world they have entered works. Such views are soon disabused.

May I suggest that looking at what Starmer's government is trying to achieve will give more insight into why Lord Peter Mandelson has been appointed than reading the comic level reporting of our (so called) main stream media. There are days when it sounds more Desperate Dan than decisive debate.

Are you having a laugh?

DT is very thin skinned and has a good memory for those who insult him. The choice for Ambassador should have gone to a person with a clean record on that score.

Poor choice. Not a decent person. I doubt you would find one in Labour.

This is not a job for a 'decent' person!

I think they will get on very well.
They will recognise a kindred spite in one another.
Both are crooks and very very good at manipulating people.

Trump will eat him for breakfast. Trump is a very clever man. Unlike Mandelson who just thinks he is!

love0c

Trump will eat him for breakfast. Trump is a very clever man. Unlike Mandelson who just thinks he is!

Was that meant to be ironic?

Trump very clever?
Cunning, manipulative but that is different from intelligent.

Quote love0c Sat 21-Dec-24 09:36:11
Trump will eat him for breakfast. Trump is a very clever man. Unlike Mandelson who just thinks he is!

Good grief, a trump admirer

Good grief! Trump? Clever? What a laugh.
Machiavelli Mandelson will run rings round Trump and he won't even know it.

Trump is a very clever man. Unlike Mandelson who just thinks he is
Really?
They walk among us.

Mandelson always comes across as a suave Old Etonian but he is in fact a grammar school boy who then went to Oxford.