Downing Street has appointed Varun Chandra as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to the United States on Trade and Investment. The role is intended to advance the UK’s economic interests in the US and accelerate trade and investment opportunities, with the appointment published on 23 January 2026. (gov.uk)
In the envoy post, Chandra will coordinate activity across the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Department for Business and Trade, HM Treasury and the UK’s US posts. The brief covers deepening senior engagement with American business, progressing major inward‑investment opportunities through the Office for Investment, and supporting UK companies seeking to access the US market. (gov.uk)
Government figures reinforce the scale of the relationship. The United States is the UK’s largest single‑country trading partner, with bilateral trade above £330 billion in the 12 months to summer 2025. Ministers also highlight investment pledges announced during the September 2025 State Visit-around £150 billion in commitments associated with more than 7,600 UK jobs. (gov.uk)
According to No 10, Chandra will act as lead adviser on US trade negotiations, including the Economic Partnership Dialogue (EPD) and the Trade Partnership Dialogue (TPD). Department for Business and Trade documents, however, define EPD as the Economic Prosperity Deal agreed on 8 May 2025, with general terms now being implemented. We use the DBT definition here for clarity. (gov.uk)
The TPD acronym also appears in US material to denote the Technology Prosperity Deal signed at Chequers in September 2025; the Financial Times subsequently reported that implementation of that technology agreement was suspended in December 2025. The envoy remit will intersect with these strands and any related agreements cited by No 10. (whitehouse.gov)
Chandra will work alongside His Majesty’s Ambassador in Washington and the Office for Investment-a joint No 10, Treasury and DBT unit tasked with sourcing and securing high‑impact capital into the UK. OfI’s mandate is to land transformational projects that support government priorities, which the envoy is expected to help progress. (gov.uk)
Downing Street confirms he will retain his position as the Prime Minister’s Chief Adviser on Business, Investment and Trade, maintaining responsibility for the wider international business and investment agenda while taking on the envoy role. (gov.uk)
For companies, this architecture is intended to provide a single senior channel for decisions on US market access and large‑scale capital projects. It aligns trade workstreams under the EPD with investor support through OfI and the UK’s consular network to shorten escalation paths and give ministers clearer sight of deliverables.
Key dates for practitioners: EPD general terms agreed 8 May 2025 and updated 20 June 2025; State Visit investment package published 17 September 2025; special envoy appointment confirmed 23 January 2026. (gov.uk)
Policy Wire analysis: The appointment formalises a single escalation point for UK–US trade and investment with direct accountability to No 10 and the Business and Trade Secretary. It signals an operational focus on targeted barrier removal and investor delivery through existing dialogues rather than treaty‑scale negotiations.