US President Donald Trump has described the Chagos Islands deal negotiated by UK Labour leader Keir Starmer as “the best he could make,” signaling that he may ultimately accept it.
Trump’s remarks came shortly after private discussions with Starmer about the handover agreement, following his sharp public criticism of the deal last month. Speaking on Truth Social, Trump said:
“I have had very productive discussions with Prime Minister Keir Starmer about the Island of Diego Garcia. It is the site of a major US military base, strategically located in the middle of the Indian Ocean, and therefore of great importance to the national security of the United States.
I understand that the deal Prime Minister Starmer has made, according to many, is the best he could make.
However, if the lease deal ever falls apart in the future, or if anyone threatens or endangers US operations at our base, I retain the right to secure and reinforce the American presence in Diego Garcia. Let it be known that I will never allow our presence on a base as important as this to be undermined or threatened by fake claims or environmental concerns.”
The deal, which comes at a cost of £35 billion over the next century, transfers sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius while leasing back the military facility on Diego Garcia for continued US operations. For more details on how Trump views such strategic agreements, you can read this recent analysis of his stance on the Chagos Surrender.
Earlier, Trump had publicly slammed the agreement as “an act of great stupidity” and “total weakness,” warning that giving away a strategically vital military base could threaten US national security. His perspective on related foreign policy moves has also been highlighted in this report about his previous statements on military strategy.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel criticized the deal, calling it a “shameful Chagos Surrender” and a “terrible deal for Britain.” She argued that transferring British territory and £35 billion in taxpayer money to a country allied with China represents a major strategic misstep, leaving national security and the safety of allies at risk. The Conservative Party, Patel emphasized, will continue to oppose the agreement vigorously. More on the political fallout can be found in this coverage.
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