Trump Reverses Chagos Islands Stance Following Call with PM Starmer
US President Donald Trump has backed down from his previous opposition to the United Kingdom's Chagos Islands deal after a pivotal phone conversation with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. This marks a significant shift in transatlantic diplomacy, as Trump had earlier branded the handover of the islands as an "act of great stupidity" and "total weakness".
A Productive Discussion Leads to Agreement
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that after "very productive" discussions with Starmer, he now understands the deal is "the best he could make." However, the President issued a stern warning, asserting that if the lease agreement ever falls apart or if US operations at the Diego Garcia base are threatened, he retains the right to militarily secure and reinforce the American presence there. He emphasized that he would never allow the base to be undermined by what he called "fake claims or environmental nonsense."
From Downing Street, a spokesman confirmed that the two leaders agreed on the importance of the deal to secure the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia, which remains vital to shared security interests. They pledged to continue working closely on implementing the agreement.
Details of the Chagos Islands Deal
The deal, which will cost £35 billion over the next century, involves the UK ceding sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius while leasing back the military facility on Diego Garcia. This arrangement aims to balance sovereignty claims with strategic military needs, ensuring the base's long-term viability.
Legislation to ratify the deal is in its closing stages in Parliament, though progress had been delayed since Trump's initial outburst in January. At that time, he claimed the site was being given away "for no reason whatsoever," sparking tensions as Starmer accused him of trying to pressure Britain over objections to his ambitions regarding Greenland.
Broader Diplomatic Context and Scrutiny
During their call, the leaders also discussed ongoing peace negotiations in Ukraine, with Starmer expressing deep concern about Putin's continued attacks on innocent civilians, particularly in freezing temperatures. This highlights the multifaceted nature of their dialogue, extending beyond the Chagos issue to global security matters.
Downing Street has insisted the case for the Chagos Islands deal is "crystal clear," countering claims of a "wobble" within the government. A spokesman clarified that without a deal, Mauritius would likely pursue a legally-binding judgment from the International Court of Justice, leading to serious operational impacts on the base. He noted that changes in governments in both the US and Mauritius in November 2024 warranted thorough scrutiny, which the deal has undergone through parliamentary processes and two US administrations.
Last week, Starmer pointed out that Trump initially backed the deal "in very clear terms" after sign-off by US intelligence agencies, with public support from the President and his team praising it as a "monumental achievement" for securing Diego Garcia's future. This reversal and subsequent agreement underscore the complex interplay of diplomacy, security, and sovereignty in international relations.
