UK Defends Chagos Islands Agreement Amid Trump's Criticism

The United Kingdom has defended its decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, following criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump. The agreement, signed in May 2025, allows the UK to lease back the Diego Garcia military base for 99 years at £101 million annually.

President Trump labeled the move as an "act of great stupidity" and suggested it demonstrated weakness, linking it to his advocacy for acquiring Greenland.

In response, a UK government spokesperson stated, "The UK will never compromise on our national security," emphasizing that the deal secures the operations of the joint US-UK base on Diego Garcia for generations.

The agreement has faced opposition within the UK. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson criticized the decision, stating it made Britain appear "weak" and "pathetic."

The Chagos Islands have been under British control since 1814. In the 1960s and 1970s, the native Chagossians were forcibly removed to make way for the military installation, leading to longstanding legal and human rights battles.

The UK government maintains that the agreement ensures the long-term security of the Diego Garcia base, a joint US-UK facility.

The deal also responds to international legal pressure, including United Nations rulings encouraging Britain to return the territory to Mauritius.

Displaced Chagossians, however, worry the agreement may sideline their long-standing demand to return home. A resettlement fund is included in the deal, but it excludes Diego Garcia, the central island in question.