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

 

 

[Purdey]

A pity the UK didn't explain at the beginning that foreigners  others have the right of veto.

[JulesMad]

The thing you call american president has way too much power...

[Chomper Higgot]

With each passing day the UK is looking more like a vassal state.

 

 

[Paul Henry]

If the truth is known Trump probably has no idea where any of this islands are or who controls them.

He didn'teven know what AUKUS was.Some presidential self proclaimed genius? 

[proton]

David Lammy the ultimate DEI hire can't be sacked as he's the only black in the cabinet. Amazingly this dummy went to Harvard, or maybe not so amazing knowing what they are like for the past 3 decades.

[SunnyinBangrak]

47 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

With each passing day the UK is looking more like a vassal state.

 

 

More like a failed state after population replacement didn't turn out to be the utopia they promised. Lammy must be the dumbest politician to ever hold office. Abbott 2nd.

[JonnyF]

11 hours ago, Social Media said:

“If President Trump doesn’t like the deal, the deal will not go forward,” he stated.

 

Yes you have been put firmly back in your place, you lazy useless DEI pick.

 

I thought you'd be out protesting on the streets, not kowtowing to him. 😄

 

 

 

I guess that would require a backbone though.

 

 

[JonnyF]

11 minutes ago, proton said:

David Lammy the ultimate DEI hire can't be sacked as he's the only black in the cabinet. Amazingly this dummy went to Harvard, or maybe not so amazing knowing what they are like for the past 3 decades.

 

Harvard has a DEI policy for admissions. 

 

He has shown his lack of intelligence on multiple occasions. The Chagos debacle is just the latest disaster. 

[Nick Carter icp]

58 minutes ago, JulesMad said:

The thing you call american president has way too much power...

 

  The UK need someone with a bit of sense to advise the UK .

If the UK could make sensible decisions, then Trump wouldn't be needed 

[Chomper Higgot]

26 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

More like a failed state after population replacement didn't turn out to be the utopia they promised. Lammy must be the dumbest politician to ever hold office. Abbott 2nd.

Oh look, the replacement conspiracy raises its dull head again.

 

’Warm sunlit uplands’ definitely didn’t put in an appearance.

[Tailwagsdog]

There is no debate on the Chagos Islands, they were uninhabited when discovered by the French. The Frogs & Poms brought workers to the island, so all the ho hah is made up BS by a few coconut Huskers & their offspring looking for a payday with the help of a distant Mauritius that has no basis for a claim.

Goodnight

[Tailwagsdog]

....oh & by the way ..Ker Stammer should of sent Lammy to Washington on Ryanair to kneel before the Orange God with a grovelling apology & a shoe shine to make everything right ....right?

[Tailwagsdog]

3 hours ago, JulesMad said:

The thing you call american president has way too much power...

A committee will achieve much more ...

[WDSmart]

Trump will probably veto this and then try to SELL the islands to Mauritius. 

[retayl]

As the article says the ICJ ruling is “advisory” and should be ignored. In this case Trump(or more likely his advisors) are right. The plan to pay Mauritius to take Chagos off our hands is absurd, ill advised and must be junked.