(Commonwealth_Europe) President-elect Donald Trump will want to secure a favorable deal with the UK, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones has stated. As the chancellor’s second-in-command, Jones expressed confidence that the UK-US trading relationship could be strengthened, and he praised Peter Mandelson as an excellent choice to be the new UK ambassador to the US. However, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage argued that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is in a “weak” negotiating position due to his efforts to improve ties with the EU and the US simultaneously. Despite this, Starmer has maintained that he can balance strong trading and security relationships on both sides, even though Trump has been critical of the EU.
Some concerns are evident, with Lord Mandelson launching a charm offensive ahead of Trump’s inauguration, highlighting Trump’s “straight talking and deal-making instincts” and promoting the idea of a new “Atlantic alliance.” Jones reiterated the government’s optimism about a positive relationship with the incoming administration, pointing to potential opportunities for a post-Brexit trade deal, particularly in technology, science, and research. He suggested that the UK might avoid Trump’s threat of a 20% import tax due to not being in a “trade deficit” and assured that ministers had prepared for all possible outcomes.
Jones also expressed confidence that Lord Mandelson would form a strong partnership with the new administration, despite some reports that Trump might reject him and dismiss him as an “absolute moron.” The appointment of Mandelson, who is well-known as a former New Labour spin doctor and minister under Tony Blair, marks the first time in 50 years that a British prime minister has selected a politician rather than a diplomat for the ambassador role, a decision Jones said reflects a desire to do things differently.
In contrast, Farage, a long-time supporter of Trump, painted a less optimistic picture of the “special relationship.” He argued that the UK government needs to think creatively when engaging with the Trump administration, warning that current approaches, such as Mandelson’s appointment, reflect an outdated mindset. Farage expressed concern that the UK might miss a “unique opportunity” to secure free trade deals and avoid tariffs, criticizing Starmer for not prioritizing the US over the EU. He also stated that if the UK’s relationship with America worsens, it will be the fault of the Labour government, adding that Trump is likely more Eurosceptic than he is.
The UK’s continued lack of a free trade deal with the US, despite being a priority in Boris Johnson’s Conservative manifesto in 2019, has drawn criticism from the party’s current leader, Kemi Badenoch. She argued that leaving the EU without a clear growth plan was a mistake. Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel, a prominent figure in the Vote Leave campaign, was questioned about Badenoch’s comments and admitted that while there had been plans to begin the Brexit process, there had been a lack of strategies to rebuild relationships. She concurred with Badenoch’s understanding that the implementation of long-term plans was necessary.
In response, Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Calum Miller accused the Conservatives of competing with Reform UK to be the most submissive toward Trump. He argued that the UK should not place “blind faith” in the new administration and criticized Patel’s eagerness to rush into a free trade deal with the US, suggesting that it could harm British farmers and food standards. Miller emphasized that Patel and her party’s true loyalties lay with Trump and the Mar-a-Lago group rather than with the people of Britain.