Donald Trump has reversed his position on the UK’s Chagos Islands agreement following a discussion with Keir Starmer. The US President had previously criticized the transfer of the Islands but has now indicated his support for the deal after a conversation with the UK Prime Minister. Trump expressed on Truth Social that he found the discussions with Starmer productive and acknowledged that the deal was the best possible outcome. He also stated that if the lease agreement were to fail in the future or if there were any threats to the US operations at the base, he reserved the right to protect and reinforce the American presence in Diego Garcia.
A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed that both leaders emphasized the importance of the deal to maintain the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia for shared security interests. The UK will surrender sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius while retaining a lease on the facility on the island, costing £35 billion over the next century. The leaders also discussed peace negotiations in Ukraine, with the UK Prime Minister expressing concerns about ongoing attacks on civilians by Putin.
Trump had previously criticized the agreement, calling it a sign of weakness and raising concerns about the military base’s future. However, recent discussions have led to a mutual agreement to ensure the operation of the base. The deal’s ratification is nearing completion in Parliament, although progress was delayed due to the President’s initial objections. The Prime Minister reaffirmed that the deal had received support from US intelligence agencies and was crucial for the base’s long-term security.
Despite some internal concerns and scrutiny over the deal, the UK government has maintained that the agreement was necessary to avoid legal challenges and operational disruptions at the base. The change in leadership in both the US and Mauritius prompted a thorough review of the deal, which has now been scrutinized extensively through parliamentary processes and discussions with successive US administrations.