UK shelves Chagos deal after Trump opposition
UK Shelves Chagos Deal Following Trump’s Opposition
The UK government has delayed the Chagos Islands agreement due to growing tensions with President Donald Trump, who has not officially endorsed the treaty. The decision to pause the deal comes after Trump criticized the plan as an “act of total weakness” in early 2026, despite initial support. Officials indicate the UK is not entirely abandoning the agreement, which would transfer sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius, but have lost time to finalize legislation before Parliament dissolves in weeks.
Deal Details and Strategic Importance
The Chagos Islands, known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, have been under UK control since the 19th century. The proposed deal would see the UK relinquish ownership of the territory while retaining the lease of Diego Garcia, the largest island, for a joint military base. The annual cost of this lease is estimated at £101 million, with a total sum of £35 billion allocated for the arrangement. A government spokesperson emphasized that Diego Garcia remains a vital strategic asset, 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.” “We continue to believe the agreement is the best way to protect the long-term future of the base, but we have always said we would only proceed with the deal if it has US support.”
The legislation to formalize the deal was nearing completion, yet it is unlikely to appear in the King’s Speech this May. The UK has not yet received the required formal exchange of letters from the US, a critical step for the treaty’s enactment. The deal was initially signed in May 2025 and praised by the US, but Trump’s comments in February shifted the narrative, urging Starmer to avoid “giving away Diego Garcia” and labeling the agreement “a blight on our great ally.”
Political Reactions and Public Sentiment
Conservatives and Reform UK have endorsed the shelving of the deal, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch claiming, “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 added, “This is great news and long overdue. Now the government must right a terrible wrong and help the Chagossians to 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.” “That it took so long is another damning indictment of a prime minister who fought to hand over British sovereign territory and pay £35bn to use a crucial military base which was already ours.”
“This is great news and long overdue. Now the government must right a terrible wrong and help the Chagossians to fully resettle their home.”
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Calum Miller criticized the handling of the deal, stating, “The Chagos deal has been totally shambolic—from its start under the Tories to this point under Labour.” He highlighted concerns about the US’s inconsistent stance, arguing, “Trump’s fickle approach shows just how unreliable he is. Any deal must provide clarity on the future military partnership with the US and address Chagossian rights and Parliamentary scrutiny of the sums involved.”
Chagossians, who were displaced from the islands decades ago, view the agreement as a betrayal. They advocate for UK sovereignty to enable their return to the territory. Despite the delay, the government continues to negotiate with both the US and Mauritius, seeking a resolution to the stalled process.
