The British government has chosen former Northern Ireland Secretary of State Peter Mandelson as its new ambassador in Washington.
Mr Mandelson served as the Northern Ireland Secretary of State from 1994 to 2001 under Prime Minister Tony Blair.
He also served as the European commissioner for trade from 2004 to 2008.
Newstalk’s Business Editor Joe Lynam told Newstalk Breakfast that Mr Mandelson would have been chosen for the role because of his experience dealing with international trade agreements.
“I bring up Peter Mandelson's appointment by the UK government as the next Washington Ambassador because of course, we all know Peter as the former Northern Irish Secretary – but he was also the Business Secretary,” he said.
“I have interviewed him dozens of times, he’s an interesting character, let’s put it that way.
“He was the Trade commissioner... and he knows his way around international trade agreements.
“That is why he was chosen, because, let’s be honest, Trump has said tariffs are his thing - and if Peter Mandelson is in Washington, he will be a good advisor and Trump whisperer, I suspect.”
Donald Trump gestures towards the press. March 24, 2019. Credit: Ron Sachs / Pool via CNP.Mr Lynam said that Mr Mandelson's connections would also prove useful in his new role.
“He’s very well connected and very well spoken and he’s a very, very bright guy, if somewhat odd now and then,” he said.
Trump campaigned on a platform of reducing corporation tax to 15% - the same level as in Ireland - in a bid to lure tech giants back to the United States.
Featured image: Peter Mandelson (C), speaks to the media at Iveagh House in Dublin. 19/10/99 .Picture: Eamonn Farrell/Photocall Ireland
