British Labor Party figure and former minister Peter Mandelson has been chosen to become Britain’s new ambassador to the United States as President-elect Donald Trump takes office, Downing Street announced today.

“The United States is one of our most important allies, and as we move into a new chapter in our friendship, Peter will bring unparalleled experience to this position and further strengthen our partnershipPrime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement.

Mandelson, 71, served in the government of former Labor prime minister Tony Blair before becoming EU trade commissioner.

“It is a great honor for me to serve the country in this way“, he said according to a statement.

“Britain is faced with challenges but also with great opportunities. It will be a privilege to work with the administration to seize them, both for our economy and for the security of our country and to advance our historic alliance with the US“, he added.

Peter Mandelson will succeed Ambassador Karen Pearce, the first woman to hold this senior position, and will take up his duties at the beginning of the year almost simultaneously with the arrival of Donald Trump in the White House.

The seasoned politician will have the difficult task of fueling the wheels of London’s so-called “special relationship” with Washington during Trump’s second presidency.

Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on imports and uncertainties over continued US support for Ukraine are of great concern to the Starmer government. Therefore, the new ambassador’s priorities will be to work to continue aid to Ukraine and to avoid imposing tariffs.

It is the first political appointment to the post in almost 50 years in a country where experienced diplomats are usually chosen for the ambassador post.

Mandelson’s past reputation as a charming but ruthless behind-the-scenes manipulator earned him the pejorative “Prince of Darkness” in the British media

An architect of New Labour, Mandelson was vying to be the next chancellor of Oxford University. However, the post was given last month to former Conservative Party leader and former foreign secretary William Hague.