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Trump intervenes in UK-Chagos dispute
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly opposed the UK's plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, warning Prime Minister Keir Starmer against "giving away" Diego Garcia, the archipelago's largest island and site of a critical joint UK-US military base.
Trump's social media criticism
In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump argued that leasing the territory back from Mauritius for 99 years was insufficient, stating, "Leases are no good when it comes to Countries." He described the proposed handover as a "big mistake" and emphasized Diego Garcia's strategic location in the Indian Ocean.
Trump also linked the issue to broader geopolitical tensions, suggesting the base could be vital if the U.S. needed to respond to threats from Iran. "Should Iran decide not to make a Deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia... to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime," he wrote.
"Prime Minister Starmer is losing control of this important Island by claims of entities never known of before."
Donald Trump, Truth Social post
UK and US official positions diverge
Trump's remarks contrast sharply with the U.S. State Department's official stance, which on Tuesday endorsed the UK's agreement with Mauritius. A State Department statement said it "supports the decision of the United Kingdom to proceed with its agreement."
The UK Foreign Office defended the deal, calling it "crucial to the security of the UK and our key allies." A spokesperson added, "The agreement we have reached is the only way to guarantee the long-term future of this vital military base."
However, the bill to enshrine the agreement into UK law has faced delays, with no date set for its next parliamentary stage. UK Minister Alex Davies-Jones said the legislation would return to the House of Lords "as soon as parliamentary time allows."
Political reactions and Chagossian opposition
UK opposition figures have seized on Trump's intervention. Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel urged Starmer to "U-turn and scrap this appalling deal," while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called it "the worst deal in British history." Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey criticized Trump's "endless flip-flopping" but agreed the deal was flawed.
Chagossian activists, forcibly removed from the islands in the 1960s to make way for the US base, have also protested the handover. Four activists recently landed on a remote atoll in the archipelago, refusing to leave despite threats of eviction. One protester, Misley Mandarin, told BBC Radio 4, "There's no reason for this deal because Mauritius never owned the Chagos Islands in the first place."
"Keir Starmer, you could be a hero right now-don't ratify that deal, cancel that deal and let Chagossians come back to their homeland as British."
Misley Mandarin, Chagossian activist
Background and strategic significance
The Chagos Islands, known officially as the British Indian Ocean Territory, lie roughly 5,800 miles southeast of the UK in the Indian Ocean. The UK has controlled the archipelago since 1814 and established it as an overseas territory in 1965, purchasing it from Mauritius for £3 million.
Mauritius has long contested British sovereignty, arguing it was coerced into relinquishing the islands as a condition for independence. The dispute escalated after the UK forcibly removed around 1,500 Chagossians in the late 1960s to accommodate the US military base on Diego Garcia.
Under the proposed deal, the UK would retain control of Diego Garcia through a 99-year lease, paying Mauritius an average of £101 million annually. The agreement was announced last May but has faced legal and political hurdles, including US support requirements.
Next steps and diplomatic talks
Trump's comments come ahead of planned US-Mauritius discussions next week. His position has shifted repeatedly in recent months, from calling the transfer an "act of great stupidity" to later describing it as the "best" deal Starmer could secure.
UK ministers have previously stated the agreement cannot proceed without US backing. The delay in parliamentary progress reflects ongoing uncertainty, with Starmer's government insisting the deal is necessary to secure the base's future.
