Trump Criticizes UK’s Move on Chagos Islands

Early Tuesday, President Donald Trump voiced his disapproval of Britain’s decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos archipelago, which includes Diego Garcia—home to a U.S.-British military base—to Mauritius. He labeled the action as “terrible stupidity.”

In May 2025, Britain and Mauritius formalized an agreement that recognizes Mauritius’ claim over the islands while permitting the UK to retain rights to Diego Garcia under a prior 99-year arrangement. Currently, UK MPs are deliberating over a law aimed at incorporating parts of that treaty into domestic legislation.

Trump expressed concerns on Truth Social, stating, “It would be extremely foolish for Britain to cede vital land,” warning that such a shift would be perceived as a sign of weakness by his rivals.

He also highlighted that “China and Russia are aware” of the situation, and used it to reiterate his past assertion about needing to acquire Greenland, criticizing Denmark and its European partners.

British officials have defended the agreement as a necessary step to secure long-term access to Diego Garcia in light of rising legal and diplomatic pressures surrounding the territory’s status. A parliamentary inquiry concluded that the deal grants Mauritius “full sovereignty” while protecting British rights at the base for an additional 99 years. The UK has agreed to make payments to Mauritius over several years as part of this agreement.

This deal has provoked backlash from opposition parties in Britain, but Trump’s allies have heightened the political tension as London aims to enact the new law.

Debates in Westminster have centered on the government’s Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territories Bill, which has been officially supported by Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Baroness Chapman of Darlington. Defense Secretary John Healey has elaborated on the government’s perspective, while Conservative shadow defense secretary James Cartledge criticized the deal as a “complete and disastrous capitulation.”

This dispute has historical roots, tracing back to Britain’s controversial decision in 1965 to separate the Chagos Islands from Mauritius, creating the British Indian Ocean Territory. This act set off decades of legal challenges and diplomatic pressure related to sovereignty over the islands.

In 2019, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion stating that Britain should end its colonial administration of the archipelago. Following this, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling for Britain’s withdrawal from the territory within six months.