Mandelson: Iraq shows why US needs EU

The Iraq war has shown the "vulnerability" of America when it goes it alone and underlined its need for partnership with Europe, according to the EU trade commissioner, Peter Mandelson.

The Iraq war has shown the "vulnerability" of America when it goes it alone and underlined its need for partnership with Europe, according to the EU trade commissioner, Peter Mandelson.

At the start of George Bush's five-day trip to Europe, Mr Mandelson described recent US hostility to European unity as an "aberration" in policy, and said its President had appeared to do little to offset his poor public image in Europe.

In an interview with The Independent, Mr Mandelson also criticised members of the Government for failing to provide leadership over Britain's role in the Europe, and suggested that a third-term Labour government would not seek to join the euro. The close ally of Tony Blair also refused to rule out a return to British politics.

He argued that "the experiences of Afghanistan and Iraq showed America's vulnerability. He said: "Without allies working with the US in Iraq, the position would be even worse."