Archive · 25 Jan 2026
UK Appoints Indian-Origin Varun Chandra as US Trade Envoy
The UK has appointed Varun Chandra, an Indian-origin business adviser, as the special envoy to the US on trade and investment.
Chandra will work to advance the UK's economic interests in the US, which is the UK's biggest trading partner.
He has a background in investment banking and has previously worked with Tony Blair Associates and Hakluyt & Company.
Chandra has been instrumental in securing major economic agreements and has strong relationships with key US officials.
His appointment comes at a time of tensions between the UK and the US over various issues, including tariff threats and the Board of Peace for Gaza initiative.
Varun Chandra, an Indian-origin business adviser, has been appointed as the UK's special envoy to the US on trade and investment.
Chandra will work across the UK government to advance economic interests in the US, the UK's biggest trading partner.
He has a background in investment banking and has previously worked with Tony Blair Associates and Hakluyt & Company.
Chandra has secured over $10 billion in economic agreements and has strong relationships with key US officials.
His appointment comes amid tensions between the UK and the US over tariff threats and other issues.
- Who
- Varun Chandra, an Indian-origin business adviser
- What
- Appointed as the special envoy to the US on trade and investment by the UK government
- When
- The appointment was made by Prime Minister Keir Starmer
- Where
- The role involves working across the UK government to advance economic interests in the US
- Why
- To strengthen the UK's economic relations with the US, its biggest single-country trading partner
- Name
- Varun Chandra
- Role
- Special Envoy to the US on Trade and Investment
- Appointed By
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
- Previous Role
- Prime Minister’s Chief Business, Investment and Trade Adviser
- Education
- Degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Oxford
- Key Achievement
- Secured over $10 billion in economic agreements during Trump's state visit to Britain in September
- US-UK Trade Value
- Over 330 billion pounds (over $450 billion) in the year up to summer 2025