By james art 
The president’s executive order eliminates exceptions to the United Kingdom and other countries, which means that exports of steel and aluminum to the United States will be affected by tariffs from March 12.
This move presents an early challenge for Lord Mandelson, whose appointment cleared its last obstacle at the end of Monday.
After a historical ceremony in DC, Peter Mandelson is officially the ambassador of His Majesty to the United States!
From the protection of our people, to grow our economies; Our nations are better together. As a longtime friend of the United States, he is looking forward to deepening this vital union. Pic.twitter.com/udpdcqtmzw
– British Embassy Washington (@ukinusa) February 10, 2025
Lord Mandelson said “President Trump’s administration has emerged as one of the most next periods in modern America” and he is “loaded with the energy opportunities for opening” for more cooperation.
The best diplomat in the UK in Washington said that the government of Sir Kiir Starmer can “always do our views of private and directly” by G -N Trump, but that he must “understand what moves him.”
Lord Mandelson admitted that he was “concerned” about the coming perspective of tariffs and said the UK “does not necessarily agree” with every detail of the new US president’s program.
President Trump signs 25% Tariffs for steel imports:
“This is a big deal. It’s the beginning of making America rich again.” pic.twitter.com/szpq17GQH1
– Quick Reply 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 10, 2025
Asked how the United Kingdom can try to persuade the Trump to change its position in certain areas of politics without alienating its administration, he told the BBC: “Well, we must take all these problems when they come , they realize that the president has a very strong and clear mandate for a change in the United States.
“Now this does not mean to say that we will agree in the UK with every detail of what he does, but we must respect and understand what moves him, what his mandate is to do and how his allies need to be regulated Sometimes.
“And I believe that given the relationship we have, we can always make our views – best, by the way, directly and privately.
“We have a strong relationship that allows us to influence the president and his policies when necessary, and this should certainly not influence our ability to work well together, and that is what I intend to remain so.”
The UK exported 166 433 tonnes of steel to the United States in 2023, the last full year for which numbers are available.
The numbers of Trade Body UK Steel show that in 2024 about 162 716 tonnes were sent to the United States, but this is not yet included in December.
Britain Steel warned that the rates would “be a detrimental blow to our industry.”
Trump said the tariffs were “the beginning of making America rich again.”
The United States is the second largest export of the EU industry, although the government said it represents only 5% of steel exports to the UK in 2023.
The prime minister hopes to visit Washington in the coming weeks to talk face-to-face with Mr. Trump, but details have not yet been confirmed during the trip.
Lord Mandelson, a former minister, the head of the European Union Trade and the key architect of labor renewal in the 1990s, said his “priority” in his new role would be to help promote investment relations with the United States, suitable for the United States 21st century.
“Each of us wants to grow our economies,” he said.
“I think what we need to do is build technology and investment relations between the US and the United Kingdom, which are fit for the 21st century. This is where I want to focus. “
He added: “We will depend on the increase of its economy on private investment, foreign investment, many of which will come from the United States of America.”