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Trump Criticizes UK‑Mauritius Chagos Deal as Parliament Advances Ratification

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Treaty Transfer and Legislative Process: The United Kingdom and Mauritius signed a treaty in May 2025 that will hand over sovereignty of the Chagos archipelago, except Diego Garcia, to Mauritius [1]. Draft legislation currently under review in the UK Parliament will ratify the agreement, and the bill must pass before the transfer becomes effective [1]. Parliament’s consideration marks the latest step in a process that began after the 2019 International Court of Justice advisory opinion [1].

Diego Garcia Lease Terms and Financial Arrangements: The treaty preserves the U.S.–UK military base on Diego Garcia by granting the United States a 99‑year lease at an average cost of £101 million per year [1]. The overall hand‑over plan is estimated to cost £3.4 billion, while a separate £40 million trust fund will support the resettlement of the displaced Chagossian community on the other islands [1]. Diego Garcia itself will remain a military site and is excluded from the resettlement fund [1].

Historical Legal Context and International Opinion: The Chagos islands were detached from Mauritius in 1965 to form the British Indian Ocean Territory [1]. In 2019, the International Court of Justice declared the decolonisation process illegal, prompting renewed negotiations between the UK and Mauritius that started in 2022 [1]. The current treaty attempts to address the ICJ’s findings while balancing strategic interests [1].

Political Opposition and Security Concerns: Conservative MPs and the Reform UK party have voiced opposition, warning that Mauritius’s growing ties with China could jeopardise UK security linked to the Diego Garcia base [1]. Critics argue the deal may undermine the United Kingdom’s strategic position in the Indian Ocean [1]. The debate reflects broader geopolitical anxieties about Chinese influence in the region [1].

Trump’s Public Opposition and Rhetoric: President Donald Trump used a social‑media post on February 21, 2026, to urge the United Kingdom “not give away Diego Garcia,” calling the agreement “an act of great stupidity” and “a blight on our Great Ally” [1]. His statement directly targets the pending treaty ratification and the 99‑year lease to the United States [1]. The post adds a high‑profile U.S. political dimension to the ongoing diplomatic negotiations [1].

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Timeline

1965 – The United Kingdom detaches the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius to form the British Indian Ocean Territory, establishing the legal basis for later sovereignty disputes [6].

2019 – The International Court of Justice issues an advisory opinion declaring the UK’s decolonisation of the Chagos Islands illegal, prompting renewed calls for transfer of sovereignty [6].

2022 – The UK initiates formal negotiations with Mauritius over the future status of the Chagos Islands, marking the start of the diplomatic process that leads to a treaty [6].

2024 – A political shift in Mauritius revives talks with the UK, accelerating progress toward a sovereignty agreement [5].

May 2025 – Britain and Mauritius sign a treaty that transfers formal sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing the U.S.–U.K. military base on Diego Garcia back to the United States for 99 years at an average £101 million per year; the overall package costs about £3.4 billion [5][6].

2025 – The United States deploys B‑2 Spirit bombers to Diego Garcia as part of ongoing air operations against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, underscoring the base’s strategic importance [5].

Jan 20, 2026 – President Donald Trump posts on Truth Social that the Chagos deal is “great stupidity” and “total weakness,” warning that China and Russia will notice the surrender of Diego Garcia [1][2][3][4][5].

Jan 20, 2026 – The UK government asserts that national security will not be compromised by the treaty and notes continued U.S. support for the arrangement [1].

Jan 20, 2026 – Mauritius’s Attorney General Gavin Glover states that international law recognises Mauritius’s sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, reinforcing the legal justification for the transfer [1].

Jan 20, 2026 – A parliamentary bill to implement the UK‑Mauritius agreement advances through the House of Commons and moves to the Lords, where it passes with a motion of regret before returning for further debate [4].

Jan 20, 2026 – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says President Trump expressed support for the deal during a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, highlighting trans‑Atlantic alignment despite Trump’s later criticism [2].

Jan 20, 2026 – A Whitestone Insight poll of more than 3,600 Chagossians shows overwhelming support for remaining British and opposition to the sovereignty transfer [2].

Feb 21, 2026 – The UK drafts legislation to ratify the May 2025 treaty; the draft moves forward in Parliament despite opposition from Conservative MPs and Reform UK, who warn that Mauritius’s growing ties with China could threaten security [6].

Feb 21, 2026 – President Trump again urges the UK “not give away Diego Garcia,” calling the pending transfer “an act of great stupidity” and “a blight on our Great Ally” [6].

Feb 21, 2026 – The agreement earmarks a £40 million trust fund to support the displaced Chagossian community’s resettlement on islands other than Diego Garcia [6].

2025‑2026 (ongoing) – Two Chagossian women, Bernadette Dugasse and Bertrice Pompe, pursue legal action in British courts, arguing that Mauritian control would make a return to the islands harder, highlighting continued rights disputes [5].

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