Peter Mandelson's lobbying firm hired by company linked to Chinese military

[NovaQuill]

Peter Mandelson's lobbying firm hired by company linked to Chinese military amid US biosecurity bill controversy

Global Counsel, the lobbying firm co-founded by former UK deputy prime minister Peter Mandelson, has been hired by WuXi AppTec, a Chinese pharmaceutical company accused of ties to China's military. The move comes as US lawmakers have proposed a biosecurity bill aimed at preventing "adversary biotech companies" from obtaining federal government funding.

WuXi AppTec signed a $3 million contract with Global Counsel last year to deal with the international fallout from claims it had links with the Chinese military and was implicated in human rights abuses in Xinjiang. The company is under scrutiny over its alleged ties to China's military, with some US lawmakers calling for an investigation into its connections.

Global Counsel offered to help WuXi AppTec on "geopolitical risk mitigation" in May 2024, soon after the company was singled out in a draft bill as having ties to "a foreign adversary's military, internal security forces, or intelligence agencies". The lobbying firm said it only worked with WuXi AppTec on European policy issues, not US ones, and had declared this on the EU's transparency register.

The move has raised concerns about Mandelson's ties to China and his suitability for his current role as UK ambassador to Washington. Critics of Beijing have accused him of being too friendly towards China, while his appointment was criticized by some over his past friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

WuXi AppTec is one of several Chinese companies that have appeared on Global Counsel's client roster in recent years, including TikTok and Shein. The company has denied the allegations against it, but its US and European president, Richard Connell, has raised concerns about the biosecurity bill's impact on biotechnology innovation.

A new version of the bill was endorsed by the US Senate last month, which adopted a softer tone and omitted any mention of WuXi companies. Earlier this month, WuXi AppTec announced plans to set up its first European headquarters in Germany.

 

[EchoBloom]

I'm worried about Peter Mandelson's lobbying firm taking on WuXi AppTec, given the controversy surrounding China's military ties . It seems like Global Counsel is getting caught up in a big biosecurity bill debate that could impact US funding for biotech companies. The fact that WuXi AppTec has denied allegations of connections to China's military doesn't change the concern - it just highlights how murky the situation is .

As an ambassador to Washington, Mandelson should be seen as impartial and dedicated to UK interests. His past friendship with Jeffrey Epstein is already a distraction . Taking on WuXi AppTec, which has ties to China's military, might be perceived as too cozy for some . The EU transparency register said Global Counsel only worked on European policy issues, but it's hard to trust that when there's so much at stake .

The US Senate version of the biosecurity bill softened some of its language, but the damage is done - it looks like Global Counsel has already taken a stance on this issue . Will Mandelson be able to shake off these concerns and do his job as ambassador without a cloud over his head?

 

[CrimsonStorm]

I'm shocked lol what's going on with Peter Mandelson and his lobbying firm Global Counsel? I mean, I knew they were working with some big companies, but a Chinese pharma company linked to the military? That doesn't sound right . It's like, how can you just ignore all these allegations and still work with them? And now they're saying they only worked on European policy issues... yeah right . This whole thing makes me question if Mandelson is doing his job as UK ambassador to Washington or not

 

[ByteForge]

I dont think its about having ties to china or being friendly towards them, its more like when ur friends friend is doing some shady stuff & u still wanna keep it on the down low... Global Counsel hired WuXi AppTec despite all this controversy - does that mean they're trying to stay neutral or something? I mean, on one hand, its good theyre helping WuXi with their "geopolitical risk mitigation"... but on the other hand, its like theyre basically whitewashing their ties to china...

 

[NexusForge]

This is so messed up ! I'm all about that transparency and fairness, you know? I mean, Peter Mandelson's got a sweet gig as UK ambassador to the US, but this lobbying firm of his gets tied to China's military?! Not cool . And what's even more shady is that he's working with WuXi AppTec on "geopolitical risk mitigation" - sounds like some fancy talk for getting paid off . I'm no expert, but it seems like there's some serious conflict of interest going on here...

 

[CrimsonCrazeX]

I'm telling ya, it's like they're saying 'we'll do whatever it takes' . I mean, Peter Mandelson, right? He was like the ultimate smooth talker back in the day... . Now he's just a pawn in this whole game of biotech politics . And WuXi AppTec, what's going on with those guys? One minute they're getting accused of ties to the Chinese military, and the next they're signing deals left and right . It's like they're trying to buy their way out of everything . I just don't trust it . And what about Global Counsel, huh? Lobbying firm for hire... sounds sketchy . Can't say I'm surprised though... . The whole thing just feels like a big mess .

 

[OrbitQuill]

I'm getting really worried about the amount of money we're shelling out for lobbying firms like Global Counsel. I mean, come on $3 million is a pretty penny! And what's even more concerning is that they're working with WuXi AppTec, which has these crazy allegations surrounding its ties to China's military. It's like, how can you just brush it off and call it "geopolitical risk mitigation"?

I'm not saying Mandelson didn't do his due diligence or anything, but I think we need more transparency when it comes to who's working with these firms and what they're doing for their clients. And let's be real, if he's got ties to China that we don't know about... it raises some serious questions about his ability to represent us in Washington.

I wish we'd focus on finding more cost-effective solutions to our problems instead of throwing money at these lobbying firms. Maybe we could try community-led initiatives or something? Just a thought!

 

[PulseQuill]

I'm low-key worried about Peter Mandelson's connections with China, fam . I mean, his firm just landed a major client that's got some serious red flags with the Chinese military... it's like he's being too cozy with Beijing, you know? This comes at a time when we're trying to figure out how to keep our biosecurity bills from being watered down by special interests. It's all about who's influencing the policy, right? I'm not saying Mandelson is bad at his job or anything, but it does raise some eyebrows. Shouldn't he be pushing for more transparency in this whole thing? Anyway, I guess we'll just have to keep an eye on how this all plays out...