Trump Denounces UK Diego Garcia Deal as “Great Stupidity

(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump has denounced Britain's transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius as a catastrophic misstep jeopardizing American national security, labeling the decision "great stupidity."

The contested Chagos Archipelago—home to over 60 islands—was severed from Mauritius by British authorities in 1965, two years ahead of the East African nation's independence in 1968. A year later, Britain leased Diego Garcia, the archipelago's largest island, to Washington for military operations, forcibly removing approximately 2,000 residents. Mauritius has persistently campaigned to reclaim the disputed territory.

Last May, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer finalized a sovereignty handover agreement with Mauritius. Despite the transfer, the arrangement preserves American and British control over the strategically critical joint military installation on Diego Garcia for 99 years initially, valued at $3.9 billion total. The accord followed six years after the International Court of Justice ruled Britain must terminate its administration of the region "as rapidly as possible."

Taking to Truth Social Tuesday, Trump voiced "shock" over Britain's surrender of the "extremely important land" hosting a "site of a vital US Military Base," cautioning that "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," he declared.

Trump underscored his administration's commitment to safeguarding American military assets while pressing Denmark and European partners to "DO THE RIGHT THING" concerning Greenland, which he continues demanding to acquire.

When Britain executed the sovereignty transfer agreement last year, Starmer asserted Trump—who had assumed office roughly four months prior—backed the arrangement.

Responding to Trump's criticism, Darren Jones, chief secretary to the prime minister, told Sky News the agreement was "welcomed at the time by the American administration and also by European allies."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also addressed the controversy during a Tuesday press briefing, criticizing major powers including the UK for retaining multiple territories—among them the Chagos Islands—contrary to UN resolutions.

MENAFN21012026000045017169ID1110630073