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UK PM Starmer appoints Varun Chandra as U.S. trade envoy
Chandra, who had also interviewed for the top diplomatic spot in Washington, will be based in Britain, traveling back and forth to the U.S.
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Reuters - Fri, 23, Jan 2026
- 13:16 EST
- 24
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announce an agreement between the two countries as they hold a press conference at Chequers at the conclusion of a state visit on September 18, 2025 in Aylesbury, Britain. / Leon Neal/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has appointed his top business adviser, Varun Chandra, as a new special envoy to the U.S., with a focus on trade and private sector investment, the announcement came on Jan. 23.
The move comes amid tensions between Britain and the U.S. over President Donald Trump's pursuit of Greenland, his comments on NATO troops staying off the front line in Afghanistan, and his Board of Peace initiative.
Chandra will work closely with veteran diplomat Christian Turner, who was named last month to replace the former ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson. Mandelson was fired in Sept. 2025 over supportive emails he sent to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
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Chandra, who had also interviewed for the top diplomatic spot in Washington, will be based in Britain, traveling back and forth to the U.S. Turner is expected to arrive in the U.S. next week.
The appointment formalizes the role Chandra has already been playing as a key liaison with top U.S. officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
He played a key role in facilitating more than US$10 billion in economic deals announced during U.S. President Donald Trump's state visit to Britain in Sept.
Lutnick posted a photograph with Chandra on his X account a month ago, saying, "Always great to be with Varun Chandra. He is an excellent representative of Great Britain and a trusted friend. Our partnership is deep, and the future looks bright."
Chandra joined Starmer's government in July 2024 after a decade with Hakluyt & Co., a global strategic advisory firm, and has close ties to U.S. business leaders, including JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon.
The news of Chandra's appointment was first reported by Bloomberg earlier on Jan. 23.
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