SIR Keir Starmer’s pick for US ambassador has admitted he was “wrong” to brand Donald Trump a “danger to the world”.
Lord Peter Mandelson, who once claimed Trump posed a global threat, said the US President had “won fresh respect” – including from him.
The former Labour communication director, who is expected to become the next ambassador to Washington, acknowledged that his previous comments were inappropriate and stressed that perceptions of Trump had shifted.
He told Fox News: “I consider my remarks about President Trump as ill-judged and wrong.
“I think that times and attitudes toward the president have changed.”
In reference to Trump’s second election as US president, he added: “I think that he has won fresh respect.
“He certainly has from me, and that is going to be the basis of all the work I do as His Majesty’s ambassador in the United States.”
His statement coincides with the pending confirmation of his new role as the UK ambassador to Washington, following previous speculations that his appointment could face opposition from the White House.
Dismissing these speculations, Lord Mandelson stated: “I haven’t received any communication from the president, the White House, or any of his staff indicating any potential obstacles to my appointment.”
The former Business Secretary also played down tensions between No10 and Team Trump after tech mogul Elon Musk took a swipe at Sir Keir online.
Despite the public spat, Lord Mandelson said about the special relationship going forward: “They’re not Siamese twins, President Trump and Prime Minister Starmer, but they’re both pragmatic people.
“They know where each is coming from, they want to find common ground.
“I feel very optimistic. I feel very upbeat about the relationship that they’re both going to have.”
The Labour grandee, the first non-career diplomat to take the role in over 50 years, also said his political background would help him deal with Trump.
He explained: “The president isn’t a career diplomat, and I’m not a career diplomat.
“I came into politics to change things for the better for people, and so did he.
“We share a similar, if not identical, outlook on the world and motivation in politics. But I think above all, we believe in something which is really special between our countries.”
He insisted his priorities will be boosting trade, strengthening defence ties, and countering China’s growing influence.
He added: “I think that the United States and Britain, working together, can outsmart and keep ahead of the curve as far as China is concerned.
“[Trump] wants a dialogue with China, he wants to do deals with China. But he’s also not going to be naive about China.
“We face a challenge together from China, and we’ve got to make sure that we are able to deter that challenge or that threat when they’re having aggressive intents toward us.”
And despite fears over Trump’s approach to global affairs, Lord Mandelson backed him, saying: “Frankly, I think President Trump could become one of the most consequential American presidents of my lifetime.”
