UK Stands Firm on Chagos Islands Deal Amid Trump Criticism

Thu Jan 22 2026 00:59:14 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The UK government defends its Chagos Islands agreement with Mauritius, despite Donald Trump's harsh remarks labeling it an 'act of great stupidity'.

The UK government has defended its controversial deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining military control over Diego Garcia, after US President Donald Trump criticized the move. The government insists the deal is crucial for national security, and that the arrangement, valued at £3.4 billion, has international support, including from the US and its allies.

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... This act of total weakness will not go unnoticed by China and Russia.

The response from the UK emphasizes that the US still supports the deal, with claims it has robust backing from the UK's Five Eyes allies, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Earlier, a UK government spokesperson noted the base on Diego Garcia was threatened by court decisions affecting its operations, which facilitated the deal to be reached.

Mauritius' attorney general Gavin Glover expressed confidence that the agreement would proceed, asserting that its sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago is recognized by international law.

Despite the UK government's assurances, UK political leaders have varied in response, with some criticizing the deal and calling for a change in direction. Chagossian activists have also voiced concerns about being excluded from discussions regarding the agreement.