U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticised Britain on Tuesday over its agreement to transfer sovereignty of Diego Garcia, part of the Chagos Islands, to Mauritius, calling the move an “act of total weakness” and suggesting it underscores Washington’s need to acquire Greenland for national security reasons. The comments mark a new flashpoint in an already tense diplomatic environment, as Trump continues to push for the U.S. to take control of Greenland.
Diego Garcia is home to a strategically crucial U.S.-UK air base in the Indian Ocean, which has played a central role in American military operations in the region. Last year, Britain and Mauritius struck a deal transferring sovereignty of the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius while allowing Britain to retain control of the air base under a long-term lease. The agreement was previously welcomed by the U.S. administration at the time, which praised the deal and its role in ensuring the base’s long-term operation.
Trump took to his Truth Social platform to denounce the arrangement, writing that the UK was “planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia… FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER.” He added that “China and Russia have noticed this act,” implying that the move could weaken Western strategic standing in the region. Trump also reiterated his long-standing position that Greenland is vital to U.S. national security and insisted that the U.S. should acquire the island.
British senior minister Darren Jones defended the deal on Tuesday, saying it remains the best option for securing the military base’s future. He told Times Radio that the treaty has already been signed and cannot be reversed. Jones added that Britain’s response should focus on leveraging diplomatic influence and the strong relationship between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Trump to protect British interests.
The comments add strain to the relationship between Starmer and Trump, which had been relatively stable. Starmer became the first world leader to secure an agreement with Trump to reduce certain tariffs, but the connection has been tested recently by Trump’s aggressive stance on Greenland and now his criticism of the Diego Garcia deal.
Trump’s remarks also echo his broader narrative that China and Russia are expanding their global influence and that the U.S. must act to secure strategic territories. The UK’s agreement with Mauritius was delayed after Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, with London allowing the new administration time to review the plan’s details. Despite the delay, the treaty was eventually finalised, and Britain insists it ensures the long-term operation of the base for the next century.
The dispute highlights the complex interplay between sovereignty, strategic military interests and diplomatic relationships, as Britain seeks to navigate its post-Brexit global role while maintaining key defence partnerships with the United States.
