UK Reopens Chagos Talks with US After Trump Slams Deal

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday that the UK has reopened talks with the United States about the Chagos Islands deal. This comes after President Donald Trump criticized the plan to hand the islands to Mauritius, calling it an act of great stupidity. The islands, in the Indian Ocean, include Diego Garcia, home to a key US military base. Starmer made these comments while flying to China, noting he has discussed the issue with Trump several times.

Background

The Chagos Islands have been a British territory since the 1960s. Back then, Britain separated them from Mauritius as that country gained independence. The US leased Diego Garcia from Britain in 1966 for a military base. This base holds about 2,500 personnel, mostly American, and supports bombers, logistics, and operations across the Middle East, Indo-Pacific, and Africa. It plays a big role in intelligence and secure communications.

In 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled that Britain's hold on the islands was unlawful. This led to years of pressure on the UK. Negotiations with Mauritius started in late 2022 under the Conservative government. The Labour government under Starmer wrapped them up. On October 3, 2024, the UK agreed to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius. The deal lets Britain lease back Diego Garcia for at least 99 years at a cost of $160 million a year or more. The agreement was signed on May 22, 2025, but needs ratification by both sides to take effect.

Trump's team first seemed okay with the plan. When they took office, the UK paused the deal for three months to let US agencies review it. Those agencies gave their support, and statements came out backing it. But Trump himself spoke out against it on Truth Social. He said the UK was giving away Diego Garcia for no reason, warning that China and Russia had noticed this weakness. He tied it to his push to acquire Greenland for national security.

Key Details

Starmer told reporters the Chagos issue came up with the White House at the end of last week, over the weekend, and into this week. He stressed that US agencies reviewed the deal and clearly supported it.

"Once they’d done that, they were very clear in the pronouncements about the fact that they supported the deal, and there were announcements made," Starmer said.

A Downing Street spokesperson said the UK is working to ease any concerns in Washington. They plan to keep engaging on the matter to protect US and UK interests.

Trump's Position and UK Response

Trump posted that the UK's move was shocking from a NATO ally. He called it total weakness and part of reasons to get Greenland. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage welcomed Trump's words, saying thank goodness he vetoed the surrender.

The UK paused ratification talks recently. This followed pushback from Conservatives in the House of Lords. They claim it breaches a 1966 US-UK agreement on the bases, which runs until 2036 with options to extend. But the government sees the handover as the only way to follow international law while keeping the base running. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said the old setup is not sustainable, with a binding judgment against the UK looming.

Talks with Mauritius hit snags too. In December 2024, Mauritius offered counterproposals after UK drafts fell short. A joint statement in January 2025 showed progress toward Mauritius sovereignty with base security. But the UK held off finalizing due to the US changeover.

Diego Garcia stays central. The base is vital for power projection. Losing secure access could hurt US operations in key regions. India, a partner to both Mauritius and the US, stands to gain from stability there against China's moves in the Indian Ocean. The Maldives has opposed the deal, citing historical links to Chagos.

What This Means

The reopened talks aim to align the UK deal with US needs under Trump. US intelligence backing gives London use, but Trump's public stance creates hurdles. If resolved, ratification could end the long dispute, letting Mauritius take sovereignty while the base operates long-term.

For the UK, pushing ahead risks straining ties with Trump, a key ally. It also faces domestic opposition from those who see the handover as unwise amid global tensions. Conservatives argue it ignores the 1966 pact, potentially forcing the US to renegotiate rights.

Mauritius wants the islands back for its people, many displaced in the 1970s. The deal includes aid for them and covers issues like fishing and migration. But delays stretch the process, with no firm timeline yet.

Geopolitics looms large. Securing Diego Garcia counters China and Russia in the Indian Ocean. Trump's Greenland talk shows his focus on strategic land. India benefits from a settled Mauritius deal, boosting joint efforts.

Downing Street says they will keep working with Washington. No word yet from the White House on the latest talks. Starmer's plane comments suggest steady diplomacy. The base's future hangs on these discussions, with thousands of personnel relying on smooth access.

Opposition voices grow. Farage and Conservatives push back, seeing Trump's words as validation. Labour defends the path as law-compliant and base-safe. As talks continue, all eyes are on how Trump balances agency views with his stance.

The Chagos story ties into bigger shifts. Decolonization rulings pressure old empires. Military needs clash with sovereignty claims. US-UK bonds test under new leaders. Resolution could set examples for other disputes, like resettlement for Chagossians.