Trump Tells UK PM Starmer Not to Give Away Diego Garcia Military Base

Former US President Donald Trump has again spoken out against the UK's plan to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. He specifically warned Prime Minister Keir Starmer not to give away the Diego Garcia military base.
By Newsroom | Politics, International Relations |

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has again voiced strong opposition to the United Kingdom's agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. The core of his concern appears to be the potential impact on the Diego Garcia military base, a critical joint U.S.-U.K. installation in the Indian Ocean. This intervention comes just as the U.S. and Mauritius are scheduled to hold talks regarding the deal.

The UK agreed in May 2025 to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, a nation that has long contested the UK's claim to the archipelago. Under the terms of the agreement, the UK would retain control of Diego Garcia through a 99-year lease, paying Mauritius an annual fee. While the U.S. State Department has previously expressed support for this arrangement, Trump's public statements suggest a divergent view, creating uncertainty around the future of the islands and the base.

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Do not give away Diego Garcia, Trump tells UK in fresh attack on Chagos deal - 1

Timeline of Events and Key Actors

The situation involves several key actors and a developing timeline:

  • May 2025: The United Kingdom formally agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

  • Recent Days: The U.S. Department of State publicly stated its support for the UK's agreement with Mauritius.

  • Wednesday: Donald Trump publicly urged British Prime Minister Keir Starmer via Truth Social not to cede control of Diego Garcia.

  • Upcoming Week: The United States and Mauritius are scheduled to hold talks concerning the Chagos deal.

Key Actors:

  • Donald Trump: Former U.S. President, now actively commenting on the deal.

  • Keir Starmer: British Prime Minister.

  • United Kingdom: The nation transferring sovereignty.

  • Mauritius: The nation receiving sovereignty.

  • United States: Holds a joint military base on Diego Garcia.

Evidence of Trump's Stance

Multiple sources indicate Donald Trump's renewed criticism of the Chagos Islands deal. His statements were primarily made on his social media platform, Truth Social.

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  • Trump posted, "DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA!" and stated he had advised Prime Minister Keir Starmer to "not lose control, for any reason, of Diego Garcia." (Article 1)

  • He also suggested the military base could be vital for potential military actions against Iran, particularly if nuclear deal talks failed. (Article 1)

  • Trump's position is described as having "seesawed on the issue of ceding the territory" and that he "has changed his tune multiple times." (Articles 1, 3)

  • His latest comments precede the scheduled talks between the U.S. and Mauritius. (Article 2)

  • Trump characterized the lease arrangement as "tenuous, at best" and argued that leases are unreliable for sovereign territory. (Article 4)

This is in contrast to the U.S. State Department's recent affirmation of support for the UK's decision. (Article 1, 3, 4)

The Chagos Islands Deal: Terms and Control

The agreement between the UK and Mauritius centers on the transfer of sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago, with specific arrangements for the Diego Garcia military base.

Do not give away Diego Garcia, Trump tells UK in fresh attack on Chagos deal - 3

  • Sovereignty Transfer: The UK will hand over sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius. (Article 1, 2, 4)

  • Diego Garcia Lease: The UK will lease back the joint U.S.-U.K. military base on Diego Garcia for an initial 99-year period. (Article 1, 2, 3, 4)

  • Annual Lease Payment: The UK's lease payment to Mauritius is reported to be approximately £101 million ($135.7 million) annually, with some reports suggesting a total of around US$47 billion over the century-long period. (Article 1, 4)

  • U.S. Stance: The U.S. State Department has officially stated it "supports the decision of the United Kingdom to proceed with its agreement with Mauritius." (Article 1, 3, 4)

Political Reactions and Opposition

Trump's intervention has drawn reactions from various political figures and groups within the UK.

  • Conservative and Reform UK: Both parties oppose the deal. (Article 3)

  • Liberal Democrats: Have called for MPs to have a fresh vote on the issue and criticized Trump's shifting stance as indicative of a flawed approach by Starmer. (Article 2, 3)

  • Dame Priti Patel (Shadow Foreign Secretary): Urged Starmer to "U-turn and scrap this appalling deal altogether." (Article 2)

  • Protesters: Four Chagos islanders, opposing the handover, recently landed on the islands as part of a protest. (Article 2)

Strategic Implications and Differing Views

The debate over the Chagos Islands is underpinned by strategic considerations, particularly concerning the Diego Garcia base and broader geopolitical trends.

Do not give away Diego Garcia, Trump tells UK in fresh attack on Chagos deal - 4

U.S. Strategic Interests

  • Diego Garcia's Importance: Trump highlights the base's potential strategic value, especially in relation to Iran and ongoing nuclear talks. (Article 1)

  • Lease Reliability: Trump questions the long-term security of relying on a lease for sovereign territory, calling the arrangement "tenuous, at best." (Article 4)

  • U.S. State Department Support: This official body backs the UK's agreement, indicating a divergence from Trump's personal public statements. (Article 1, 3, 4)

Concerns about China and Mauritius

  • Geopolitical Vulnerabilities: Concerns have been raised about potential strategic vulnerabilities stemming from the deal, particularly in light of China's growing ties with Mauritius. (Article 4)

Conclusion

Former President Donald Trump's renewed public criticism of the UK's agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius injects significant complexity into the deal. While the UK has committed to the transfer and the U.S. State Department has formally supported it, Trump's direct opposition, particularly his assertion of the Diego Garcia base's strategic indispensability, creates a visible division in U.S. policy messaging. His assertion that leases on sovereign territory are unreliable, alongside his focus on potential geopolitical contingencies like action against Iran, raises questions about the perceived stability and long-term viability of the current arrangement.

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The upcoming talks between the U.S. and Mauritius will be crucial in determining how these conflicting signals impact the ongoing implementation of the Chagos deal. The UK government, having agreed to the transfer and a long-term lease, faces pressure from various domestic political factions, as well as the direct, public intervention from a prominent former U.S. leader. The precise implications of Trump's stance for the lease agreement and broader U.S.-UK-Mauritius relations remain a subject of ongoing observation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Donald Trump against the UK's Chagos Islands deal?
Donald Trump believes the Diego Garcia military base is very important and does not want the UK to give control of it to Mauritius. He thinks leases on land can be unreliable.
Q: What did Donald Trump say to Prime Minister Keir Starmer?
Trump posted on social media telling Prime Minister Keir Starmer not to give away Diego Garcia for any reason. He said he had advised Starmer on this.
Q: What is the UK's plan for the Chagos Islands and Diego Garcia?
The UK agreed in May 2025 to give sovereignty of the Chagos Islands back to Mauritius. However, the UK will lease the Diego Garcia military base from Mauritius for 99 years and pay a yearly fee.
Q: What is the official US government's view on the deal?
The U.S. State Department has said it supports the UK's decision to go ahead with the agreement with Mauritius. This is different from Donald Trump's personal public statements.
Q: When will the US and Mauritius discuss the deal?
The United States and Mauritius are planned to have talks about the Chagos Islands deal in the upcoming week. This comes after Trump's recent comments.