Downing Street has appointed Varun Chandra as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to the United States on trade and investment, effective 23 January 2026. The role is tasked with advancing the UK’s economic interests in the US and developing two‑way trade and investment opportunities. (gov.uk)
Government figures frame the scale of the relationship: the US is the UK’s largest single‑country trading partner and bilateral trade exceeded £330 billion in the year to summer 2025. During the September State Visit alone, US companies committed a record £150 billion in the UK, supporting 7,600 jobs. (gov.uk)
According to the government notice, Chandra will strengthen senior engagement with US business, working with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Department for Business and Trade, HM Treasury and posts across the US network to widen direct access for firms and investors. (gov.uk)
He will also use the Office for Investment to progress large inward investment projects, promote the government’s talent agenda in the US, and support British companies seeking to enter or expand in the American market. (gov.uk)
On trade policy, Chandra becomes lead adviser on negotiations with the United States, including the Economic Partnership Dialogue (EPD), the Trade Partnership Dialogue (TPD) and related agreements, reporting to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade as the responsible Cabinet minister. (gov.uk)
Interdepartmental coordination is explicit: the envoy will work closely with His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States, the FCDO and DBT. The Office for Investment-jointly owned by HM Treasury, DBT and No.10-provides the channel for landing high‑impact capital. (gov.uk)
Chandra will retain his role as the Prime Minister’s Chief Adviser on Business, Investment and Trade, aligning investor outreach with trade negotiations and ensuring continuity from No.10. (gov.uk)
Policy Wire analysis: For policy teams and boardrooms, the appointment establishes a defined senior contact for UK–US commercial issues. Expect tighter choreography across DBT’s US posts and OfI deal teams, with complex market access problems and major projects escalated more quickly.
Policy Wire analysis: On the talks side, routing negotiating advice through a named envoy should streamline decisions across EPD/TPD workstreams and give ministers a consolidated view of business priorities. Progress is likely to be tracked through capital committed and jobs delivered.