UK shelves Chagos deal after Trump opposition
UK Halts Chagos Agreement Amid Tensions with Trump
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has postponed the Chagos Islands treaty, citing strained relations with President Donald Trump. The U.S. has not yet provided formal approval, which is crucial for the agreement’s enactment, despite earlier backing from Trump. The decision to pause comes as the UK faces the prospect of dissolving Parliament soon, leaving insufficient time to pass the necessary legislation.
Deal Details and Legal Requirements
The Chagos Islands, officially known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, have been under British control since the early 1800s. The proposed agreement would transfer sovereignty to Mauritius while allowing the UK to lease the Diego Garcia military base for an annual cost of £101 million. A government representative emphasized that the deal remains a priority, stating, “Ensuring the long-term security of Diego Garcia is our top concern. It is the core reason for the agreement.”
“We continue to believe the agreement is the best way to protect the base’s future, but we will only proceed if the U.S. supports it,” the spokesperson added.
The legislation to formalize the deal was nearing completion when Trump’s opposition emerged. In February, the government denied any pause in the process, just hours after a minister hinted at halting it. Trump had previously praised the deal but shifted his stance, labeling it an “act of total weakness” in January and later urging Starmer to abandon it on Truth Social.
Political Reactions and Criticisms
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch welcomed the shelving of the deal, claiming, “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.” She accused the Labour Party of prioritizing international agreements over national interests, while Reform UK’s Nigel Farage praised the move, stating, “This is great news and long overdue. The government must now correct a major injustice and assist Chagossians in reclaiming their homeland.”
“Trump’s inconsistency shows how unreliable he can be,” said Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Calum Miller. “Our military partnership with the U.S. has been strong, but his actions threaten its stability. Any agreement must clarify the future of the alliance and address Chagossian rights and the financial implications.”
Chagossians, who were displaced from the islands decades ago, view the deal as a betrayal. They advocate for the UK to maintain sovereignty to enable their eventual return. While the UK had secured U.S. backing in May 2025, Trump’s criticism in early 2026 cast doubt on the agreement’s viability. The absence of formal letters from the U.S. government has further delayed its implementation.
