Can Peter Mandelson charm Trump?

The Labour grandee takes on his biggest challenge yet

- JITENDRA JOSHI

It’s safe to say that our new man in Washington divides opinion — almost as much as the president to whom he’ll be paying court. There’s never an easy time to take on the most coveted job in the diplomatic circuit. But with Donald Trump’s inauguration to a second White House term, Lord Mandelson is becoming the UK ambassador to the United States at a particularly dicey moment.

This week, speculation has been growing that Trump could even veto his appointment, amid concerns over his links to China and his past criticism of the President. It would be enough to tax the most seasoned emissary. But the 71-yearold Labour peer is hardly a diplomat, by training or temperament, as he starts a remarkable new chapter of his long and colourful career.

It’s a nakedly political appointment by Sir Keir Starmer, who is taking a novel approach to engagement with the most unorthodox of US presidents: less glad-handing over platters of Ferrero Rocher, more fox-like cunning to further the “special relationship” with our most important ally and single largest trading partner.

Former World Trade Organisation chief Pascal Lamy is among Mandelson’s admirers. The Frenchman, who preceded him as EU trade commissioner, notes the controversy that has often dogged the Labour politician, observing that he’s an arch networker who likes money and to party with the well-heeled. “I worked with Peter in various capacities. Brilliant, creative, hard working,” Lamy says. “Not exactly a traditional diplomat. But maybe that’s what’s needed in Washington.”

Mandelson has fences to mend first, after previously describing Trump as “reckless and a danger to the world”, nothing short of a “racist” and a “bully”. He was not invited to the inauguration on Monday, although the Foreign Office denies any snub. Protocol dictates that outgoing ambassador Dame Karen Pierce is the proper person to represent Britain.