Controversy Surrounds the Chagos Islands Deal as Trump Critiques UK Decision

Wed Jan 21 2026 14:26:03 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The UK government's recent agreement to transfer the Chagos Islands' sovereignty to Mauritius while retaining control over a vital military base has ignited backlash, with Donald Trump labeling it an 'act of great stupidity.'

The UK government is defending its agreement to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing back the Diego Garcia military base. Donald Trump's condemnation of the deal highlights tensions around the U.S.-UK alliance concerning military and geopolitical interests in the region. Amidst this controversy, voices from the Chagossian community demand a say in their future as discussions continue around the deal's implications.

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 and total weakness, months after he and senior US officials endorsed it.

In response, the UK government stated 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 on Tuesday morning, Trump 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.

There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness.

He added: The UK giving away extremely important land is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY, and is another in a very long line of National Security reasons why Greenland has to be acquired.

Responding, the prime minister's official spokesman said that the US supports the deal and the president explicitly recognised its strength last year. He added that it was also backed by the UK's Five Eyes allies, namely Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Earlier, a UK government spokesperson explained the decision was made due to concerns that the base on Diego Garcia was under threat and could have faced significant operational challenges due to recent court rulings.

Mauritius' attorney general, Gavin Glover, maintained that the agreement is set to proceed, reiterating that the deal was conducted exclusively between the UK and Mauritius without any condition from the US.

As discussions unfold, the Chagossian community, including representatives such as Bernadette Dugasse and Bertrice Pompe, express their desire to have a voice in decisions affecting their homeland, insisting on their right to return to Diego Garcia.

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