Trump slams UK over Chagos handover as dispute stokes diplomatic tension
Donald Trump criticised Britain’s decision to return sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, despite a lease keeping the Diego Garcia base operational, reopening a transatlantic dispute.
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By Torontoer Staff
Former U.S. president Donald Trump publicly criticised Britain’s May agreement to return sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, calling the move "an act of GREAT STUPIDITY" even though he previously backed the deal. The agreement includes a 99-year lease to keep the Diego Garcia military base operational, a facility run jointly by the U.K. and the U.S.
The rebuke has reopened a political row in London and Washington and arrived amid broader tensions over Mr. Trump’s push to acquire Greenland and threats of tariffs against NATO allies. The Chagos decision has not yet been ratified by the British Parliament.
What the agreement covers
Under the deal reached last May, Britain formally handed sovereignty of the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius and signed a 99-year lease for the Diego Garcia base. The U.K. has also agreed to pay Mauritius roughly £101 million in total as part of the settlement. The arrangement was designed to resolve a decades‑long dispute that dates to the colonial era when the islands were separated from Mauritius in 1965.
The move responds to legal pressure, including a 2019 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice that urged Britain to return the islands to Mauritius. Britain says the agreement preserves the base’s operations for generations and prevents other states from expanding military influence in the region.
Why Trump objected, and what changed
Mr. Trump used social media to condemn the handover, describing it as giving away "extremely important land" and linking the decision to his campaign to acquire Greenland. His criticism marks a reversal from earlier statements in which he and senior U.S. officials signalled support for the agreement.
Shockingly, our "brilliant" NATO Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia, the site of a vital U.S. Military Base, to Mauritius, and to do so FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER. The UK giving away extremely important land is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY, and is another in a very long line of National Security reasons why Greenland has to be acquired.
Donald Trump
When the agreement was signed, Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended it as the only viable option after legal rulings weakened Britain’s claim. He argued the deal ensured the Diego Garcia facility could not be displaced by other nations.
If we did not agree to this deal the legal situation would mean that we would not be able to prevent China or any other nation setting up their own bases on the outer islands or carrying out joint exercises near our base.
Keir Starmer
Political reaction in Britain and beyond
Mr. Trump’s comments were picked up by British critics of the deal. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, a close friend of Mr. Trump, praised the former president’s intervention. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the policy "terrible" and said it weakened UK security.
U.S. officials initially framed the agreement as a reaffirmation of the U.S.-U.K. relationship. At the time of signing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the deal "reflects the enduring strength of the U.S.-U.K. relationship," and that Mr. Trump had welcomed it.
Practical stakes and next steps
Beyond political theatre, the deal has practical implications for defence and diplomacy in the Indian Ocean. Britain says the arrangement removes legal uncertainty that might otherwise invite other powers to seek a presence on the outer islands. The agreement still requires parliamentary ratification in the U.K.
- Sovereignty returned to Mauritius under a May agreement.
- Diego Garcia to remain available via a 99-year lease for U.K. and U.S. use.
- Britain agreed to pay about £101 million as part of the settlement.
- Deal responds to an International Court of Justice advisory opinion and other legal challenges.
- Political fallout includes renewed criticism from U.S. and UK politicians and potential tariff threats linked to broader disputes over Greenland.
Mr. Starmer has so far sought to limit escalation. He ruled out retaliatory tariffs and said the relationship with the United States is too important to disregard. The dispute is likely to surface during international meetings, including the World Economic Forum in Davos, where U.S. and European leaders are expected to discuss Greenland and other security concerns.
How this affects defence and diplomacy
Supporters of the deal say it secures long-term use of a strategically important base while addressing historical grievances over forced relocations of Chagossian people in the 1960s. Opponents warn that transferring sovereignty to Mauritius could create new diplomatic complications if Mauritius strengthens ties with rival powers.
The immediate outlook is procedural. Parliament must consider the agreement, and allied governments will continue to weigh strategic and legal factors. For now, the key operational point is the 99-year lease, which both London and Washington say preserves military use of Diego Garcia.
The Chagos agreement closes one chapter of a long colonial dispute and opens another one in modern geopolitics. Expect scrutiny to continue as politicians and courts test the limits of sovereignty, security and international law.
Chagos IslandsDiego GarciaKeir StarmerDonald TrumpMauritiusUK politics
