Washington – In a decisive statement at the United Nations General Assembly, President Trump again warned that the United Kingdom’s proposed transfer of sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius would jeopardize the vital U.S. military presence on Diego Garcia. The president’s criticism, voiced during a meeting with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to protecting American security interests abroad.
Trump’s security rationale
President Trump called the deal a “terrible deal” and an act of “great stupidity,” arguing that relinquishing control of the islands could undermine the base that the United States has described as “an all‑but indispensable platform” for operations in the Middle East, South Asia and East Africa. The base, home to roughly 2,500 U.S. personnel, has supported missions from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan and remains a cornerstone of America’s global deterrence strategy.
U.K. officials seek U.S. approval
U.K. Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said officials are reviewing the agreement after Trump’s renewed criticism, noting that the United Kingdom “can’t go ahead without American support.” The British government had previously welcomed the pact, which would see the U.K. pay Mauritius at least £120 million a year to lease back Diego Garcia for 99 years, as a way to resolve a long‑standing colonial dispute.
Background on the Chagos dispute
The Chagos archipelago, a chain of more than 60 islands in the Indian Ocean, has been under British control since 1814. In the 1960s and 1970s the United Kingdom forcibly removed up to 2,000 islanders to make way for the Diego Garcia base. International bodies, including the United Nations and the International Court of Justice, have urged Britain to end its “colonial administration” and transfer sovereignty to Mauritius.
Negotiations on the handover began in 2022 under a previous Conservative U.K. government and were revived after Labour’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer took office in 2024. The agreement was signed in May 2025 after the Trump administration gave its backing, but the president’s recent outburst has stalled ratification.
Congressional and defense community response
Defense analysts and several members of Congress have echoed the president’s concerns, emphasizing that any change in the legal status of the islands could complicate the United States’ ability to operate B‑2 Spirit bombers and other assets from Diego Garcia. The base was recently used for nuclear‑capable bomber deployments targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen, illustrating its ongoing operational relevance.
British political reaction
Conservative Party defense spokesperson James Cartlidge urged Prime Minister Burnham to abandon the deal and redirect the £120 million annual payment toward U.K. troops. “If Burnham was really serious about our defense, he would know that this deal should be binned entirely,” Cartlidge said.
Burnham, who has been prime minister for two months, responded that the United Kingdom remains committed to finding a solution that works for Britain, the United States and Mauritius. Streeting added that Trump’s clear stance provides “absolute clarity” that the president’s position will not change.
What’s next?
The agreement remains on hold pending further dialogue between the United Kingdom and the United States. President Trump’s firm opposition signals that any future settlement must safeguard the strategic value of Diego Garcia and ensure uninterrupted U.S. access to the base.
For now, the Chagos Islands dispute continues to be a flashpoint in U.S.–U.K. relations, with national security considerations taking precedence over diplomatic gestures.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
