Donald Trump tells UK not to give away Diego Garcia before Mauritius talks

Former US President Donald Trump has publicly told the UK not to give away Diego Garcia, a key US military base. This comes just before important talks with Mauritius.
By Newsroom | International Relations, Geopolitics |

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has again voiced opposition to the United Kingdom's plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, specifically urging against the relinquishment of Diego Garcia. This recent public statement, made via his Truth Social platform, comes just ahead of scheduled talks between the United States and Mauritius regarding the Chagos deal. The timing of Trump's intervention is notable, as it follows an official endorsement of the UK's plan by the U.S. State Department a day prior. This series of pronouncements highlights a dynamic and at times inconsistent public position from Trump on a matter of significant geopolitical interest.

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

Background of the Chagos Islands Dispute

The Chagos Islands, officially the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), are a group of islands in the Indian Ocean. The United Kingdom established a naval communication station on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago, in the late 1960s. This development involved the forced removal of the islands' inhabitants.

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Mauritius has long contested the UK's ownership of the Chagos Islands, asserting its historical claim. In May 2025, the UK and Mauritius reached an agreement for the UK to cede sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius. A key component of this deal involves the UK leasing back Diego Garcia for a period of 99 years, paying an annual fee of approximately £101 million ($135.7 million) for the use of the strategic military base.

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

Shifting Positions on the Chagos Deal

Donald Trump's stance on the Chagos Islands agreement has been marked by a discernible lack of uniformity.

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  • Past Support: Prior to his recent pronouncements, Trump had indicated support for the UK's deal with Mauritius. The U.S. State Department formally backed the agreement on Tuesday, stating it "supports the decision of the United Kingdom to proceed with its agreement with Mauritius concerning the Chagos archipelago."

  • Recent Opposition: On Wednesday, Trump publicly urged the UK not to "give away Diego Garcia," stating in a Truth Social post that he had advised Keir Starmer (implying communication with the UK's Prime Minister) against losing control of the island.

  • Rationale for Opposition: Trump's opposition appears to be linked to the strategic importance of the military base on Diego Garcia. He specifically suggested its potential value in the context of military action against Iran, should nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran falter.

Reactions and Political Implications

The differing public statements from Trump and the U.S. State Department have drawn attention to potential disunity within the U.S. administration and have been interpreted in various political quarters.

  • Liberal Democrats: Leader Sir Ed Davey has pointed to Trump's changing position as evidence that the UK should seek stronger ties with European allies, suggesting a lack of reliability in Washington under Trump's influence.

  • Reform UK: Leader Nigel Farage, a known critic of the handover plan, has reportedly welcomed Trump's intervention.

  • Domestic Opposition in the UK: Both the Conservative Party and Reform UK have expressed opposition to the deal. The Liberal Democrats have called for a new parliamentary vote on the matter.

Strategic Importance of Diego Garcia

Diego Garcia serves as a significant military installation for both the United States and the United Kingdom. Its location in the Indian Ocean makes it a vital hub for power projection and intelligence gathering in the region.

Read More: Chagossian People Return to Islands Before UK Hands Control to Mauritius

  • U.S.-UK Military Base: The island hosts a jointly operated military base, critical for naval and air operations.

  • Geopolitical Leverage: The base's strategic position has been highlighted by Trump in relation to potential U.S. military engagements, particularly concerning Iran and its nuclear program. The archipelago is situated approximately 5,799 miles (9,332 km) southeast of the UK and about 1,250 miles (2,011 km) northeast of Mauritius.

Upcoming Negotiations

The U.S. and Mauritius are scheduled to hold talks concerning the Chagos deal in the coming week. Trump's latest public statement is likely to cast a shadow over these discussions and potentially influence their proceedings.

The core of the issue lies in the U.K.'s agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while retaining control of the strategic U.S.-U.K. military base on Diego Garcia through a long-term lease. Donald Trump's recent, seemingly contradictory, public statements have introduced a layer of complexity to this arrangement, occurring just before crucial bilateral talks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Donald Trump tell the UK not to give away Diego Garcia?
Donald Trump believes Diego Garcia is strategically important and could be used against Iran. He publicly advised the UK's leader not to give up control of the island.
Q: What is the UK planning to do with Diego Garcia?
The UK agreed to give sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, including Diego Garcia, to Mauritius in May 2025. However, the UK will lease back Diego Garcia for 99 years to keep its military base there.
Q: When will the US and Mauritius talk about the Chagos Islands deal?
The United States and Mauritius are scheduled to hold talks about the Chagos Islands deal in the coming week.
Q: What is the history of the Chagos Islands dispute?
The UK took control of the Chagos Islands and built a military base on Diego Garcia in the 1960s. This involved moving the original inhabitants off the islands. Mauritius has claimed ownership of the islands for a long time.
Q: How has the US government's position on the Chagos deal changed?
The US State Department officially supported the UK's plan to give sovereignty to Mauritius just before Trump made his statement. Trump's public opposition adds confusion to the US stance.
Q: What are the political reactions to Trump's comments in the UK?
Some UK politicians, like those from the Liberal Democrats, see Trump's changing position as a sign the UK should rely more on European allies. Others, like Reform UK, have welcomed his intervention.