Tensions Rise as Marco Rubio Challenges David Lammy Over Chagos Islands Deal

[Social Media]

 

Donald Trump’s newly appointed foreign policy chief, Marco Rubio, reportedly confronted UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy over Britain’s controversial plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. The discussion, which marked their first official conversation since the new US administration took office, did not include any mention of the disputed handover in the official summaries released by both sides. However, sources have confirmed that the issue was raised during the call.

 

The Daily Telegraph reported that Rubio directly challenged Lammy over the UK’s decision, reiterating his strong opposition to the agreement. He has previously described the deal as "a serious threat" to US national security, warning that it could weaken America’s strategic position in the region and provide an advantage to China.

 

Despite these concerns, UK officials downplayed any suggestion of a heated exchange, instead emphasizing that discussions had focused on ensuring long-term security for the critical US airbase at Diego Garcia. The talks underscore the potential for early tensions between London and Washington under Trump’s leadership, with the Chagos Islands issue emerging as a flashpoint.

 

Britain’s plan involves ceding sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) to Mauritius while leasing Diego Garcia—a key military base used by the US—for 99 years at an estimated cost of £90 million per year. However, the agreement has yet to be finalized, and opposition from China-focused policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic could see Trump refuse to sign off on it.

 

Lammy characterized his conversation with Rubio as covering a broad range of global concerns, including security in the Indo-Pacific, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and developments in the Middle East. The call came shortly after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke with Trump for the first time since the president took office.

 

Following the discussion, Lammy took to social media platform X to express optimism about UK-US relations, stating, "The UK and US are working together to make all our citizens safer and more prosperous. I look forward to meeting soon as we further strengthen UK-US ties."

The UK Foreign Office noted that both men also touched on their personal ties to the Caribbean—Lammy’s family has roots in Guyana, while Rubio has Cuban heritage.

 

With strategic interests at stake, the fate of the Chagos Islands remains uncertain. As the US recalibrates its foreign policy under Trump, Britain’s decision could face significant resistance from Washington, shaping the future of UK-US diplomatic relations.

 

Based on a report by Daily Mail 2025-01-30

 

 

[GinBoy2]

I'm a bit of a history nerd.

 

The Chagos Islands were never part of Mauritius

In the British Empire days they were 'administered' by colonial Mauritius

 

It's very analogous to the fact that Burma was administered by the British Raj, yet no one would today suggest that Burma was part of India.

 

The Chagosians have some valid beef with the UK, but saying Mauritius has any claim, thats rich.

 

Better, in my mind, keep the status quo, let the Chagosians who wish to return do so and become part of the support structure for the US military, which folks are in Germany, Japan, South Korea and a host of others

[JonnyF]

5 hours ago, Social Media said:

Britain’s plan involves ceding sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) to Mauritius while leasing Diego Garcia—a key military base used by the US—for 99 years at an estimated cost of £90 million per year.

 

What a great plan. 😆

 

I might just give one of my UK properties away, and then pay the recipient huge amounts of money to rent a room back from them.

 

This is beyond stupidity. At this point, this has to be a deliberate plan by Labour to diminish Britain. Were these people bullied at school or something? 

 

Let's hope Rubio gave Lammy the proverbial slap around his ample chops and told him to stop being such an idiot. I very much suspect he did. 

[newbee2022]

3 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

What a great plan. 😆

 

I might just give one of my UK properties away, and then pay the recipient huge amounts of money to rent a room back from them.

 

This is beyond stupidity. At this point, this has to be a deliberate plan by Labour to diminish Britain. Were these people bullied at school or something? 

 

Let's hope Rubio gave Lammy the proverbial slap around his ample chops and told him to stop being such an idiot. I very much suspect he did. 

UK should do what they want and stay with it.

Don't let every idiot to interfere in British politics 

[Snackbar]

Extraordinary decisions being made by people without commercial experience.

[SunnyinBangrak]

Rubio will be on a fast learning curve about the danger of DEI when he 1st meets or speaks to dumber than a hammer Lammy. 

[JonnyF]

4 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Rubio will be on a fast learning curve about the danger of DEI when he 1st meets or speaks to dumber than a hammer Lammy. 

 

Indeed.

 

If he thought it was bad with Harris, he ain't seen nuthin yet. 😆

 

 

[Eric Loh]

So little Marco try to be a mini Trump throwing his weight around. Lammy should forget about decorum and tell him like his Danish counterpart to f..off. 

[Thingamabob]

I have no idea why Labour, and before them the Tories, are pushing  this idea which in itself is a lousy deal from a negotiating point of view, and from a strategic point of view makes no sense whatsoever.

[NativeBob]

Little Marco (as Trump called him) is going full monty within his mental capacity. Amazing show and good comic relief after guitarrasta Tony B. Or not?

[SunnyinBangrak]

8 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

I have no idea why Labour, and before them the Tories, are pushing  this idea which in itself is a lousy deal from a negotiating point of view, and from a strategic point of view makes no sense whatsoever.

I can only imagine it's guilt over the British Empire.

[Watawattana]

44 minutes ago, Snackbar said:

Extraordinary decisions being made by people without commercial experience.

Would that be like a Health Secretary making decisions on health, without any healthcare experience?

[Watawattana]

13 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

I can only imagine it's guilt over the British Empire.

I suspect the vast, vast majority of Brits have absolutely no guilt over the British Empire whatsoever.  Probably only exceeded by the amount of Brits fed up by the performance of the last several UK governments of any colour.

[Thingamabob]

16 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

I can only imagine it's guilt over the British Empire.

In which case negotiate with the Chagosians, not Mauritius.

[SunnyinBangrak]

59 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

In which case negotiate with the Chagosians, not Mauritius.

I wasn't agreeing the whole guilt trip had merit! But knowing sir Kier and Lammy and the rest of them, it's the likely reason. Nothing else makes any sense.

 

Just wondering whether this 90 odd billion could perhaps keep pensioners warm and the status quo for family farmers? 

[PomPolo]

12 hours ago, Social Media said:

Britain’s controversial plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius

I don't see what the problem is the UK give everything to everybody that is not from the UK in any case, I hope the US liberates us from this idiocy we are governed by.

[JonnyF]

30 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

I wasn't agreeing the whole guilt trip had merit! But knowing sir Kier and Lammy and the rest of them, it's the likely reason. Nothing else makes any sense.

 

Yes it's classic Liberal pearl clutching white guilt.

 

They hate Britain and want to cause as much damage as they can before they are voted out at the next election. 

[Tailwagsdog]

When Britain discovered the Chagos Islands they were uninhabited. Therefore they belong to Britain. Since discovery every Chagos Islander has been transported there by Britain and any island descendants were born to those people. So what is the issue, they are British Islands.

 

[GinBoy2]

So here is an idea,

 

Why not grant independence to the Indian Ocean Territory, allow the Chagocians to return, then retain Diego Garcia as a sovereign base?

 

Hardly groundbreaking idea, seems to have worked pretty well in Cyprus since independence