Peter Mandelson urged to listen to Nigel Farage’s advice: ‘He knows how to handle this!’
GB News senior political commentator Nigel Nelson has urged Lord Peter Mandelson to carefully consider advice from Nigel Farage regarding dealings with Donald Trump’s administration.
Speaking to GB News, Nelson emphasised that while Mandelson shouldn’t be overly influenced by outside voices, Farage’s insights could prove valuable.
He said: “You could certainly listen to the advice that Nigel would give, which would seem to be reasonable, because he does know Trump.
“He knows how the new administration is likely to take and it doesn’t mean that Peter Mandelson has got to follow everything that Nigel Farage tells him.
“At least inform him about about how to deal with Trump, the kind of things Trump is likely to do, and the big one, which is going to be the tariffs that Trump might impose on our on our exports.”
Political commentator Claire Pearson responded: “I don’t disagree with that. I just think you have to be very, very careful with listening to too many different people on this subject.
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“I think that Nigel Farage does know Trump very well, and he knows how to handle him. And I think that is a really good thing.”
Mandelson was announced as the UK’s ambassador to the US on Friday, as Starmer prepares for a Trump presidency.
The Labour grandee will replace Dame Karen Pierce, whose term in Washington DC ends in early 2025.
The appointment marks the first time in nearly half a century that a British prime minister has given the post to a political appointee.
Lord Mandelson, 71, previously told BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that nobody had spoken to him about the ambassador post.
However, he indicated he was “more in favour of a new relationship rather than a special one” with the US.
He also expressed interest in “giving advice about trade to whoever is appointed”.
Starmer said on Thursday the UK would “have to make sure that we avoid tariffs” when asked about Trump’s comments.
The Prime Minister reiterated his desire to improve trade with Washington.
A Government source said Mandelson’s appointment demonstrates the importance placed on the relationship with the Trump administration.
“We’re sending someone close to the prime minister with unrivalled political and policy experience, particularly on the crucial issue of trade,” the source added.
Both the White House and Trump campaign were notified of the appointment in advance.