US President Donald Trump has accused the UK of “great stupidity” and “weakness” over plans to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, including the US–UK military base on Diego Garcia, to Mauritius.
In a Truth Social post Trump said: “Shockingly, our “brilliant” NATO Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia, the site of a vital U.S. Military Base, to Mauritius, and to do so FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER. There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness. These are International Powers who only recognize STRENGTH, which is why the United States of America, under my leadership, is now, after only one year, respected like never before. The UK giving away extremely important land is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY, and is another in a very long line of National Security reasons why Greenland has to be acquired. Denmark and its European Allies have to DO THE RIGHT THING. Thank you for your attention to this matter. PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP.”
The UK and Mauritius signed an agreement on 22 May 2025 to return sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius while the UK retains rights to the Diego Garcia base under a 99-year lease costing about £101 million per year (roughly £3.4 billion over its lifetime). However, the treaty has not yet formally entered into force and awaits domestic ratification, including parliamentary approval in the UK.
Trump has also threatened 10% tariffs on the UK and other NATO allies amid disputes over Greenland, raising fresh questions about UK–US relations.
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