UK shelves Chagos deal after Trump opposition
UK Halts Chagos Agreement Amid Tensions with Trump
Sir Keir Starmer has postponed the Chagos Islands agreement due to strained ties with Donald Trump following the US’s failure to provide formal approval. The president had previously supported the plan but later criticized it, calling it an “act of total weakness” in January. UK officials state they are not entirely abandoning the agreement but have lost time to pass legislation before Parliament dissolves. A new Chagos bill is not expected in the King’s Speech in mid-May.
The Chagos Islands, known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, have been under British control since the early 19th Century. The deal would transfer sovereignty to Mauritius while allowing the UK to lease Diego Garcia, the largest island, for an annual average of £101m. A government spokesperson emphasized:
“Diego Garcia remains a vital strategic asset for both the UK and the US. Ensuring its operational security is our priority, and the agreement was designed to safeguard this. We will proceed only with US backing, though we continue to engage with both the US and Mauritius.”
Deal’s Legal Hurdles and Political Reactions
The UK has yet to receive the official exchange of letters from the US, a legal requirement for the treaty to take effect. The agreement was signed in May 2025 and initially welcomed by the US, but Trump’s comments in early 2026 cast doubt on its future. His remarks on Truth Social urged Starmer to “not give away Diego Garcia” and labeled the deal “a blight on our great ally,” despite the US Department of State endorsing it days prior.
Many Chagossians view the deal as a betrayal, advocating for the UK to retain control so they can return to their homeland. The shelving of the agreement has been praised by both the Conservatives and Reform UK, which had previously opposed it. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch stated:
“If Starmer’s Chagos surrender now finds its place on the ash heap of history, it will be because Conservatives led the fight against it from day one. The delay reflects a prime minister who sought to hand over British territory while paying £35bn for a base already ours.”
Reform UK’s Nigel Farage added:
“This is great news and long overdue. The government must now correct a major mistake and assist the Chagossians in resettling their home.”
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Calum Miller criticized the handling of the deal:
“The Chagos process has been chaotic, from its origins under the Tories to its current state under Labour. Trump’s inconsistent stance undermines the US-UK military partnership, and any agreement must address Chagossian rights and ensure thorough parliamentary review of the financial commitments.”
