Mandelson warns US ties at risk - but Brexit creates opportunity

Lord Peter Mandelson said the UK could not take its ‘special relationship’ with the US for granted (PA) Jonathan Brady

Lord Peter Mandelson has warned Britain cannot take its "special relationship" with the United States for granted, despite Donald Trump's apparent warmth towards the UK. The ambassador to Washington, a key architect of New Labour, delivered the stark message in a wide-ranging speech at the Ditchley Foundation.

Speaking at the charity focused on transatlantic relations, Mandelson said the country must avoid "complacency" over the American president's positive attitude. He told the gathering: "Like it or not, our US partnership has become indispensable to the functioning of our nation."

The former minister emphasised that Trump's feelings alone were insufficient for long-term security. "Beyond President Trump's instinctive warmth towards Britain - and it's real - we cannot simply take it for granted that the breadth of this, and of future US administrations, will see the value of the special relationship in the way that we do," he said.

Brexit as opportunity

Mandelson, who was a staunch Remainer during the EU referendum, surprisingly painted Brexit as a liberating force for UK-US relations. In remarks trailed to media ahead of his speech, he said: "Britain has the opportunity to use its regulatory freedom and independence from European law to deepen American investment opportunities."

The ambassador stressed Britain must prove its worth to future American leadership. "There can be no complacency on our part," he said. "It is vital that we demonstrate to the next tier of US political leadership and to the next Republican and Democrat generations, exactly how UK partnerships in economics, technology and security deliver tangible value for Americans and Brits alike."

Steel tariffs challenge

Mandelson's praise for Trump comes at a delicate time as UK officials seek relief from steel tariffs. British steel imports remain subject to 25 percent levies despite a trade deal between Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) and Trump earlier this year that reduced tariffs on other goods.

The comments follow vice-president JD Vance's holiday visit to the Cotswolds this summer and come amid preparations for Trump's state visit to the UK later this month. Meanwhile, newly appointed Business Secretary Peter Kyle is due to visit China for trade talks following a trip to Washington early next week.

Strategic balance

Mandelson emphasised America's need for strong European allies to counter Chinese influence. Speaking on Saturday, he said the US "needs Europe strong and close enough to counterbalance Chinese power and that of its autocratic allies".

The ambassador praised Trump's deterrence strategy, saying: "Trump understands the positive coercive power of traditional American deterrence - deterring adversaries through a blend of strength and strategic unpredictability, as we saw in his decisive action on Iran's nuclear programme."

Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.