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Trump Criticizes UK‑Mauritius Chagos Deal as Parliament Moves Toward Ratification

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Trump publicly opposes Diego Garcia handover President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social urging “Do not give away Diego Garcia,” calling any transfer “a blight on our Great Ally” and labeling the arrangement “great stupidity”[1][2]. He specifically warned Prime Minister Keir Starmer against a 100‑year lease, echoing similar language used in his earlier February 18 statement[2]. The president’s remarks have drawn sharp rebuke from UK opposition figures, including Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel who called his comments “an utter humiliation”[2].

US government backs the Chagos settlement The State Department announced official support for the UK‑Mauritius treaty that will transfer sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius while preserving the U.S.–UK military base[2]. Washington’s endorsement aligns with the UK Foreign Office’s claim that the agreement “secures the base” and guarantees long‑term security for allies[2]. Despite Trump’s dissent, the administration maintains that the lease‑back arrangement protects strategic interests in the Indian Ocean[2].

UK Parliament drafts legislation to ratify treaty The House of Commons is reviewing draft legislation that would formalize the May 2025 treaty, moving the hand‑over plan toward effectuation[1]. The bill must pass both houses before the sovereignty transfer to Mauritius becomes legally binding[1]. Parliamentary debate has intensified as Conservative MPs and Reform UK raise concerns about Mauritius’s growing ties with China and potential security implications[1].

Deal includes 99‑year lease, annual payments and a trust fund Under the agreement, the United Kingdom will lease the Diego Garcia base back to the United States for 99 years at an average £101 million per year, ensuring continued joint operations[1]. A £40 million trust fund is earmarked to resettle displaced Chagossians on all islands except Diego Garcia, which will remain a military site[1]. The treaty’s financial and logistical provisions aim to address longstanding grievances of the Chagossian community while preserving the strategic installation[1].

Chagossian protests and political criticism persist Four Chagossians landed on the atoll in protest, refusing to leave despite a British maritime patrol’s eviction threat[2]. Opposition leaders across parties have criticized both the deal and Trump’s intervention, with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage praising Trump’s stance and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey warning of Britain’s “flip‑flopping” on security policy[2]. The divergent reactions highlight ongoing tensions between decolonisation goals, strategic interests, and domestic political pressures[1][2].

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Timeline

1965 – Britain detaches the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius, creating the British Indian Ocean Territory, a move later deemed illegal by the International Court of Justice [11].

1960s‑1970s – Up to 2,000 Chagossians are evicted to clear land for the U.S. military base on Diego Garcia, establishing a displaced community of roughly 10,000 worldwide [5][10].

2008 – The Diego Garcia base is used for clandestine rendition flights, adding a controversial security dimension to the island’s history [5].

2019 – The International Court of Justice issues an advisory opinion that the UK’s decolonisation of the Chagos Islands was illegal, prompting renewed calls for sovereignty transfer [11].

2022 – The United Kingdom and Mauritius begin formal negotiations to resolve the Chagos dispute, laying groundwork for a future treaty [11].

2024 – A political shift in Mauritius revives talks with the UK, accelerating the path toward a sovereignty agreement [6].

May 2025 – The UK and Mauritius sign a treaty transferring Chagos sovereignty to Mauritius while leasing Diego Garcia back to the UK (and the United States) for 99 years at an average £101 million per year, costing the UK about £3.4 billion [4][8][10].

May 2025 – The United States publicly welcomes the treaty, stating it secures a long‑term, stable operation of the joint U.S.–U.K. base at Diego Garcia [8].

May 2025 – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio notes that President Trump expressed support for the deal during a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, underscoring early U.S. backing [4].

Jan 20, 2026 – President Donald Trump posts on Truth Social that the Chagos handover is “great stupidity,” arguing it weakens U.S. security and signals vulnerability to China and Russia [3][8][9][10][11].

Jan 20, 2026 – U.S. officials reiterate that the treaty “secures the long‑term, stable operation” of Diego Garcia, emphasizing its strategic value for missions across the Indian Ocean, Middle East and Asia [8].

Jan 20, 2026 – Nuclear‑capable B‑2 Spirit bombers operate from Diego Garcia as part of the U.S. air campaign against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, highlighting the base’s active role [10].

Jan 21, 2026 – Prime Minister Keir Starmer accuses Trump of shifting his stance to pressure Britain over Greenland, linking the Chagos criticism to broader U.S. strategic demands [7].

Jan 26, 2026 – The UK Foreign Office reaffirms that the Chagos handover remains the best path forward despite Trump’s criticism, while Minister Stephen Doughty blames a “wrecking amendment” in the House of Lords for delaying the implementing bill [2].

Jan 26, 2026 – The House of Lords postpones its scheduled debate after peers table an amendment calling for a pause “in light of changing geopolitical circumstances,” sending the bill back into the Commons‑Lords ping‑pong stage [2].

Feb 1, 2026 – Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu proposes that the Maldives assume Chagos sovereignty while preserving the U.S. base, seeking parliamentary approval to keep the status quo if the islands transfer from the UK [6].

Feb 5, 2026 – President Trump warns that the United States will militarily secure Diego Garcia if any future development threatens the lease, citing “very productive discussions” with Starmer and asserting a right to reinforce the base [5].

Feb 18, 2026 – Trump posts a direct warning to Prime Minister Starmer: “Do not give away Diego Garcia,” calling any transfer a “blight on our Great Ally” and urging the UK to retain control [1].

Feb 18, 2026 – Four Chagossians land on the atoll to protest the handover, refusing to leave despite a British maritime patrol’s eviction threat, underscoring local opposition [1].

Feb 21, 2026 – The UK Parliament reviews draft legislation to ratify the May 2025 treaty; the bill must pass before the sovereignty transfer and 99‑year lease take effect [11].

Feb 21, 2026 – The agreement earmarks a £40 million trust fund for Chagossian resettlement on all islands except Diego Garcia, aiming to address decades‑long displacement [11].

2026 (ongoing) – Conservative MPs and Reform UK warn that Mauritius’s growing ties with China could jeopardize the security of the Diego Garcia base, while the EU discusses possible retaliation over U.S. Greenland tariffs, indicating broader geopolitical friction [7][11].

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