The UK government has defended its agreement to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after former US President Donald Trump accused Britain of “great stupidity” over the deal.
In a statement on Tuesday, Downing Street said the arrangement secures the future of the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia for generations, with provisions to maintain its strategic capabilities.
Trump had criticized the move on his Truth Social platform, linking it to his broader push for US control of Greenland and threatening tariffs against European nations.
The UK emphasized that the deal, signed in May 2025, had previously been welcomed by the US under the Trump administration and by other key allies including Australia, India, and Japan.
Opposition figures in the UK are divided, with some supporting Trump’s critique while others urge Prime Minister Keir Starmer to take a firmer stance against the former president.
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Disclaimer:
This report covers diplomatic statements and political reactions. The Chagos agreement is subject to final parliamentary approval in the UK.
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