UK shelves Chagos deal after Trump opposition
UK Halts Chagos Agreement Amid Tensions with Trump
The UK government has temporarily suspended its plan to transfer control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, citing growing friction with President Donald Trump. The U.S. had not officially endorsed the agreement, which was initially praised by Trump, leading to concerns over its viability. In January, the president labeled the initiative as “a complete act of weakness,” casting doubt on its progress.
Deal Details and Legal Requirements
The Chagos Islands, formally known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, have been under British administration since the early 1800s. The proposed deal would grant Mauritius sovereignty over the islands while allowing the UK to lease Diego Garcia, the largest island, to the U.S. military for an estimated £101 million annually. A government representative emphasized that “Diego Garcia remains vital to the UK and US’s strategic defense interests,” underscoring the priority of maintaining the base’s operational security.
“We believe the agreement safeguards the future of the base, but we will only move forward if the U.S. supports it,” stated a spokesperson.
Legislative efforts to formalize the deal had reached a critical stage, yet officials noted that time is limited before Parliament dissolves in late May. The absence of a formal exchange of letters from the U.S. has left the treaty without the necessary legal backing. Despite this, the UK remains open to revisiting the plan with ongoing discussions.
Political Reactions and Criticisms
Following Trump’s recent criticism, both the Conservative Party and Reform UK expressed approval of the deal’s suspension. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch claimed, “Starmer’s Chagos handover now belongs in history because Conservatives opposed it from the start.” She accused the Labour government of prioritizing “foreign agreements over British interests,” highlighting the £35 billion cost to lease the base.
“If Keir Starmer’s Chagos surrender finds its place in history, it’s due to Conservatives leading the fight against it,” Badenoch added.
Reform UK’s Nigel Farage welcomed the pause, stating, “This is excellent news. The government must correct a major injustice and aid Chagossians in reclaiming their homeland.” Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Calum Miller criticized the handling of the deal, calling it “a chaotic process” that has undermined trust in the UK’s partnership with the U.S.
“Trump’s inconsistent stance has jeopardized our stable military alliance,” Miller remarked.
Chagossians, who oppose the transfer, argue the agreement undermines their rights to return to the islands. The decision to delay the deal reflects the UK’s balancing act between securing U.S. backing and addressing domestic concerns over the islands’ future.
