Remainer Peter Mandelson admits UK-US trade deal 'only possible' because of Brexit

Former arch-Remainer Peter Mandelson has admitted the UK's trade deal with the US was only possible because of Brexit. Lord Mandelson is a former EU commissioner who sat on the board of the official Remain campaign in 2016, and is now Britain's Ambassador to the US.

He said British carmakers were selling vehicles to America because of the trade deal agreed with US President Donald Trump - and Brexit had made it possible. He said: "Undoubtedly, we couldn't have done this deal if we had remained part of the European Union. We lost many other things by leaving, but we get the chance to do this deal. So there's some positives."

And he said British cars, such as luxury Aston Martins made in Warwickshire, had a competitive advantage compared to vehicles made in the EU. Speaking to The Times, Lord Mandelson said: "That's very gratifying for me and the embassy team, having worked with London to achieve that. It means those Aston Martins and similar British products having a 17.5 per cent competitive advantage over Mercedes and Ferraris."

The UK's deal with Donald Trump's White House means a 27.5% global tariffs on cars was reduced to 10% for British-made vehicles and and tariffs on aerospace products were cut to zero, although a 25% tariff on UK steel and aluminium exports to the US is still in place despite plans to eliminate this too.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump announced over the weekend that he was imposing a general 30% tariff on goods from the EU.

Lord Mandelson, who was a Cabinet Minister in Labour governments led by Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, praised Donald Trump, saying: "Look, he's not only a unique politician - he's also going to be one of the most consequential presidents in American history. He has this sense of history, this grasp of power which I think perhaps recent inhabitants of the White House haven't quite seen

"He is not a man for endless seminars and thinking. He's not a victim of analysis paralysis. He has a very quick, easy way of grasping the core points about an issue. And let's be honest: more often than not, there's a kernel of truth in everything he says."

And he told The Times that Mr Trump turned on the charm when he began his ambassador role, calling him "a handsome guy".

The UK's ambassador to the US also said Donald Trump should expect a "warm reception" when he visits Britain for his unprecedented second state visit later this year.

Reports have suggested that Mr Trump's planned second state visit to the UK will take place in September.

The visit is likely to be during the political party conference season, so Parliament will not be sitting and Mr Trump will not get the opportunity to make an address to MPs and peers.

Emmanuel Macron was afforded the opportunity to address parliamentarians during his state visit last week.

But media reports have suggested the Government is wary of protests or a boycott of the address by MPs critical of Mr Trump.

"He should expect a warm reception because he really does love Britain. He hugely admires it," Lord Mandelson said.

He added: "He trusts Keir Starmer. It's not a question of expressing our gratitude. My lodestar here is to demonstrate respect, not sycophancy. I don't think the administration has any problem with that."

Lord Mandelson also appeared to confirm reports that the visit will take place when Parliament is not sitting.

He was asked about Labour MPs who are preparing a petition to stop Mr Trump addressing Parliament, and replied: "Well there's a surprise.

"But I had assumed that at the time of the visit, Parliament won't be sitting."