Trump Holds Power to Veto Chagos Islands Deal as White House Showdown Looms

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Foreign Secretary David Lammy has acknowledged that former President Donald Trump has the authority to veto the contentious agreement to transfer control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. His admission comes as *The Independent* has learned that Trump has been presented with a second legal dossier outlining arguments against the deal.  

 

 

The issue is expected to be a major topic of discussion when Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits the White House on Thursday. Trump is reportedly concerned about the strategic implications of handing over the islands, home to the vital UK-US military base at Diego Garcia, to a nation that could align with China. The UK had been prepared to pay up to £18 billion to lease back the base for 99 years following the transfer.  

 

Speaking on ITV’s *Robert Peston* show, Lammy made it clear that the fate of the agreement rests in Trump’s hands. “If President Trump doesn’t like the deal, the deal will not go forward,” he stated. This remark has reinforced speculation that Trump may block the transfer, a decision that could have significant geopolitical consequences.  

 

Adding to the controversy, Starmer has refused to confirm whether the additional £6 billion defense budget boost will be used to finance the leasing of the airbase from Mauritius. During Prime Minister’s Questions, he was pressed on the matter by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch but declined to provide a direct answer. Both Starmer and Lammy are reportedly making a final push to convince Trump that the deal is beneficial and maintains the legal status of the base on Diego Garcia.  

 

However, the government has been reluctant to disclose details on the broader consequences of the agreement, particularly as its implementation has already faced delays due to a recent change in government in Mauritius. Meanwhile, *The Independent* has learned that a dossier prepared by Conservative shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick has been given to Trump aide Stephen Miller. The document argues that there is no legal requirement to transfer the islands, noting that the International Court of Justice’s ruling on Mauritius' claim is merely advisory.  

 

Trump is expected to raise these concerns when he meets with Starmer in the Oval Office. A source close to Trump’s team told *The Independent* that the president is seeking clarity on the UK’s stance regarding China. “The US wants to know what side the UK is going to be on when it comes to China. The Chagos deal and the Lord Mandelson appointment as ambassador sent the wrong signal,” the source said. “The president won’t hesitate to put Starmer on the spot on some of these things, and especially on free speech.

 

The Labour position is untenable, and they seem to have only doubled down on it. I talked with a Labour staffer last week who acknowledged that they’d allowed cancel culture to go too far, but then promptly returned to the talking point of free speech needing regulation because of people like Elon Musk. They don’t get it.”  

 

Speaking to reporters aboard his flight to Washington, Starmer remained tight-lipped about the discussions ahead. “I'm not going to get ahead of the discussions. We'll give you a readout of those discussions. And you heard what I said about the funding. The deal, when finalised, is something I'll put before the House, along with the costings, and so that’ll be clear for everybody soon,” he said.  

 

With the Chagos issue now at the center of diplomatic tensions, Starmer’s visit to the White House could determine the future of the islands and the broader UK-US strategic relationship.

 

Based on a report by The Independent  2025-02-28