UK Government Stands Firm on Chagos Islands Deal Amid Trump's Criticism

Wed Jan 21 2026 08:44:15 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The UK defends its controversial agreement with Mauritius regarding the Chagos Islands after former US President Donald Trump labels it an 'act of great stupidity'.

In a recent development, the UK government has reiterated its stance on a deal transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining operational control of a key military base. This comes after Donald Trump's criticism of the agreement, which he termed a 'great stupidity'. The deal has sparked a flurry of political reactions and raises questions about international relations and national security.

The UK government has defended a deal to give the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and lease back a key military base, following criticism from US President Donald Trump over its handling.

In a post on social media, Trump labelled the move as an act of great stupidity, months after he and senior US officials endorsed it. Later on Tuesday he confirmed he was against the deal.

The UK government said it would never compromise on our national security, while the prime minister's official spokesperson insisted the US still supported the move.

The UK signed the £3.4bn ($4.6bn) agreement in May, under which it would retain control of a UK-US military base on the largest of the islands, Diego Garcia.

In a post on his Truth Social platform that morning, Trump had said: 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.

He added: There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness. Trump also expressed concern about national security implications, indicating that the deal undermines the UK’s strength.

The deal has followed a long-running dispute between the UK and Mauritius regarding the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, dating back to 1965 when the islands were separated from Mauritius while it was still a British colony.

Despite Trump's comments, the UK government maintains that the deal has substantial backing from US allies and is crucial for securing operations at the Diego Garcia base.

Scottish MP and chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Emily Thornberry, suggested that while Trump's remarks should be taken seriously, they shouldn't be interpreted literally. Meanwhile, local Chagossians continue to voice their concerns about the agreement and their exclusion from the negotiations.

The UK government is currently pushing forward with legislation to implement the deal, aiming to solidify the future of the strategic military site, despite ongoing criticisms.