UK shelves Chagos deal after Trump opposition
UK Halts Chagos Agreement Amid Trump’s Resistance
The Chagos Islands deal, which aimed to transfer British sovereignty over the territory to Mauritius, has been postponed by Sir Keir Starmer’s administration. This decision follows heightened tensions with Donald Trump, who has withdrawn his earlier endorsement of the treaty. Although the US had previously supported the agreement, it has yet to formally confirm its approval, leaving the UK without the necessary backing to proceed.
Government officials emphasize that the UK is not entirely abandoning the plan but has exhausted time to finalize legislation before Parliament dissolves. A new Chagos bill is unlikely to appear in the King’s Speech by mid-May. The delay stems from the absence of a formal exchange of letters between the UK and the US, a legal requirement for the treaty to take effect. The islands, known as the British Indian Ocean Territory, have been under British control since the early 1800s.
“Diego Garcia is a key strategic military asset for both the UK and the US. Ensuring its long-term operational security is and will continue to be our priority—it is the entire reason for the deal,”
stated a government spokesperson. They noted that the agreement remains the best way to secure the base’s future, but the deal will only move forward with US support. Ongoing discussions with the US and Mauritius are expected.
Deal’s Origins and Recent Shifts
The Chagos Islands agreement was signed in May 2025 and initially praised by the US. However, Trump’s stance changed in early 2026, when he labeled the plan an “act of total weakness.” His criticism intensified in February, as he urged Starmer to abandon the deal on his Truth Social platform, calling it “a blight on our great ally.” This came despite the US Department of State endorsing the UK’s plan just days prior.
Chagossians, who were displaced from the islands decades ago, view the deal as a betrayal. They advocate for the UK to retain control so they can eventually return to their homeland. The Conservatives and Reform UK have welcomed the shelving of the deal, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch asserting that it will be “on the ash heap of history” due to their early opposition. Reform UK’s Nigel Farage called it “great news and long overdue,” urging the government to assist resettlement efforts.
“The handling of the Chagos deal has been totally shambolic—from its start under the Tories to this point under Labour,”
remarked Calum Miller, a Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman. He criticized the lack of clarity on the US military partnership and the need for stronger parliamentary oversight of the financial commitments involved.
