“As Important as WWII”: UK Envoy Urges Historic Tech Alliance with US to Counter China

Peter Mandelson, Britain’s ambassador to the US, has issued a stark warning about the future of global dominance, calling for a US-UK technology partnership he claims could be as crucial as their WWII security pact. Speaking to the Ditchley Foundation, Mandelson asserted that the race for technological supremacy against China will define the coming century and affect every aspect of Western life.
The core of his speech was a detailed proposal for a transatlantic alliance centered on pioneering fields like AI and quantum computing, as well as securing supply chains for essential rare-earth minerals. This partnership, he argued, is not just an economic opportunity but a strategic necessity to prevent a future where China dictates the technological landscape. Steps towards this goal are expected to be announced during Donald Trump’s state visit.
To achieve this, Mandelson presented a surprisingly positive assessment of President Trump, describing him as a harbinger of change who understands the anxieties of voters left behind by the old guard. He lauded Trump’s “ironclad stomach for political risk” and his capacity for decisive action, suggesting these qualities are essential in a world where incrementalism is no longer effective.
Despite his own pro-European history, Mandelson also claimed that Brexit has paradoxically made the UK a more valuable ally to the US. By freeing Britain from European regulatory constraints, he argued, the country has become a more attractive destination for American investors, particularly in the tech sector, strengthening the case for this new, focused alliance.