“I like Mr. Gorbachev, we can do business together.”
- October 13, 1925 – April 8, 2013
- British
- Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Politician, “The Iron Lady”
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Quote
“I like Mr. Gorbachev, we can do business together.”
Explanation
With this quote, Margaret Thatcher expresses a measured yet optimistic endorsement of Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union. By saying “we can do business together,” she signals that despite ideological differences, she saw in Gorbachev a pragmatic and reform-minded counterpart with whom meaningful dialogue and cooperation were possible. It marked a significant departure from the usual Cold War rhetoric, which was often dominated by mutual suspicion and hostility.
Thatcher made this remark after meeting Gorbachev in 1984, before he became General Secretary of the Communist Party. She recognized early on his willingness to engage in reform, such as glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring), and believed that these changes could open the door to improved East-West relations. Her comment helped pave the way for closer dialogue between the USSR and Western powers, including U.S. President Ronald Reagan, with whom she shared a strong anti-communist stance but also a belief in negotiation backed by strength.
In hindsight, the quote is often cited as a turning point in Cold War diplomacy, showing how personal rapport and clear-eyed realism can shape global affairs. Thatcher’s words reflect her talent for combining firmness with flexibility—remaining ideologically steadfast while recognizing moments for constructive engagement. Her ability to see Gorbachev as a partner in dialogue, rather than just an adversary, contributed to the gradual thaw and eventual end of the Cold War.
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