By Harshit
LONDON, JANUARY 20, 2026 — 6:58 AM EDT
A sharp political divide has emerged in Britain after Donald Trump denounced the United Kingdom’s plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, calling the move an act of “GREAT STUPIDITY.”
Trump’s remarks — delivered amid rising tensions over global security and territorial control — have triggered a wave of reaction across the UK political spectrum, exposing fractures over foreign policy, sovereignty, and relations with Washington.
What the Chagos Deal Involves
The agreement, signed in May 2025 but not yet ratified by Parliament, would formally hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while allowing the UK to retain full responsibility for defence and security on Diego Garcia, home to a critical joint UK–US military base.
Under the deal:
- Mauritius gains sovereignty over the archipelago
- The UK retains defence control of Diego Garcia
- A 99-year lease, extendable by 40 years, secures base operations
- Mauritius may resettle islands excluding Diego Garcia
- The UK commits to long-term financial support and a Chagossian trust fund
British officials have argued the deal was necessary to protect the base from legal challenges that threatened its long-term viability.
UK Government Defends the Agreement
A UK government spokesperson said Britain would “never compromise on national security,” stressing that court rulings had weakened the UK’s legal position and risked disrupting operations at Diego Garcia.
The government said the deal had been publicly welcomed by allies, including the United States, Australia, and other Five Eyes intelligence partners at the time it was signed.
Political Reactions Split Britain
Trump’s intervention has intensified domestic debate.
- Darren Jones, a senior cabinet minister, said the deal was “the right way to secure the future” of Diego Garcia and insisted Britain should not feel “embarrassed or humiliated” by the decision.
- Kemi Badenoch said Trump was “right,” calling the agreement “self-sabotage” and urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to reverse course.
- Emily Thornberry, Labour MP and chair of the foreign affairs committee, dismissed Trump’s remarks as “presidential trolling,” warning Britain not to take him “literally,” but to take him “seriously.”
- Nigel Farage praised Trump, saying he was relieved the US president had “vetoed the surrender” of the islands.
- Former prime minister Liz Truss used the moment to argue Parliament must “be made sovereign again.”
Mauritius Holds Its Silence
Mauritian officials declined to comment on Trump’s remarks. When the deal was signed last year, Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam described it as the final step in the country’s decolonisation process, calling it a “great victory” more than six decades after independence.
Why Trump Changed His Tone
Trump had previously appeared supportive of the Chagos agreement, backing the lease arrangement during talks with Starmer in early 2025. Analysts now suggest his reversal reflects broader geopolitical positioning, particularly his confrontations with European allies over Greenland and trade.
Political observers believe Trump is reframing global security debates to emphasize strength and leverage, arguing that territorial concessions signal weakness to rivals such as China and Russia.
Strategic Importance of Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia remains one of the most strategically significant military installations in the world, supporting US and UK operations across the Middle East, Africa, and the Indo-Pacific.
While administered by Britain, the base is largely operated by US forces, and access to the island is tightly restricted. Its future has long been intertwined with international law, colonial legacy, and great-power competition.
What Happens Next
The treaty still requires parliamentary ratification in the UK, meaning sovereignty has not yet changed hands. With Trump’s public opposition now reshaping the political landscape, pressure is mounting on Starmer’s government to defend — or reconsider — the deal.
As debates over Greenland, Chagos, and global security intensify, Britain finds itself navigating a more unpredictable relationship with its most powerful ally.