UK shelves Chagos deal after Trump opposition
UK Halts Chagos Agreement Amid Trump’s Resistance
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has delayed the Chagos Islands agreement following growing tensions with former President Donald Trump. The decision comes after the United States failed to officially endorse the treaty, which would transfer sovereignty of the British territory to Mauritius. Trump initially supported the plan but later criticized it, labeling it an “act of total weakness” in January. Despite this, UK officials assert they are not entirely abandoning the deal but have lost time to pass the necessary legislation before Parliament dissolves in weeks. A new Chagos bill is unlikely to be included in the King’s Speech later this month.
Deal Overview
The Chagos Islands, formally known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, have been under British control since the early 1800s. The proposed agreement would see the UK relinquish sovereignty to Mauritius while retaining a lease on the Diego Garcia military base, with annual payments of £101 million. A government representative emphasized that the base remains critical to both nations, stating, “Ensuring its long-term operational security is and will continue to be our priority—it is the entire reason for the deal.”
“Diego Garcia is a key strategic military asset for both the UK and the US. Ensuring its long-term operational security is and will continue to be our priority—it is the entire reason for the deal.” – UK government spokesperson
The legislation to finalize the deal had reached its final stages, but officials now say it has been paused due to the lack of formal U.S. confirmation. In February, the government denied the deal was halted, just hours after a minister indicated the process had slowed. The agreement was initially endorsed by the U.S. in May 2025, but Trump’s later comments on Truth Social, urging Starmer to “not give away Diego Garcia,” cast doubt on its future. He called the deal “a blight on our great ally,” despite the State Department backing the plan days earlier.
Political Responses
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch praised the shelving of the deal, attributing it to Labour’s efforts to cede British territory. She stated, “If Keir Starmer’s Chagos surrender now finds its rightful place—on the ash heap of history—it will be because Conservatives led the fight against it from day one.” Reform UK’s Nigel Farage also welcomed the decision, saying, “This is great news and long overdue. Now the government must right a terrible wrong and help the Chagossians fully resettle their home.”
“If Keir Starmer’s Chagos surrender now finds its rightful place—on the ash heap of history—it will be because Conservatives led the fight against it from day one.” – Kemi Badenoch
“This is great news and long overdue. Now the government must right a terrible wrong and help the Chagossians fully resettle their home.” – Nigel Farage
Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Calum Miller criticized the handling of the agreement, calling it “totally shambolic” from the previous government to the current administration. He highlighted concerns over Trump’s inconsistent stance, which he claimed has weakened the UK’s military alliance with the U.S. “We had a strong, stable, and effective military partnership with the US. Trump has gravely endangered that,” Miller added. He urged clarity on the future of the military collaboration and the Chagossians’ rights.
Many Chagossians view the deal as a betrayal, advocating for the UK to keep control of the islands to enable their return. The shelving of the agreement has drawn mixed reactions, with some political factions seeing it as a step toward resolving long-standing disputes over sovereignty and financial commitments tied to the military base.
