Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urging the reversal of the Chagos Islands agreement. The US President used Truth Social to voice his concerns, warning Starmer: "DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA!" Trump asserted that Starmer is "losing control" by ceding sovereignty to Mauritius under a 99-year lease deal.

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Diego Garcia, a crucial military base in the Indian Ocean, is at the heart of this controversy. Trump highlighted its strategic importance, particularly in relation to potential US actions against Iran, describing the lease as a "big mistake." He argued that the base is vital for protecting the UK and allied countries from threats, while maintaining a robust US-UK alliance.

The agreement has met with fierce opposition from Conservatives, who brand it a "catastrophic surrender." Critics claim it could compromise security by aligning with a Chinese ally and cost British taxpayers billions. Trump's criticism echoes these concerns, warning that transferring control from the UK could damage one of its key alliances.

Prominent Conservative figures, including Leader Kemi Badenoch, support Trump's standpoint. They criticize the deal as "great stupidity," urging Starmer to cancel it. Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel described Trump’s intervention as a “humiliation” for Starmer, accusing the government of dangerous and irresponsible decision-making.

Signed for £3.4 billion in May, the deal permits UK-US joint military operations at Diego Garcia but hands the islands’ control to Mauritius. Trump called the claims of Mauritian sovereignty “fictitious,” intensifying concerns about the legitimacy of their historical claim. Critics argue that the agreement irresponsibly relinquishes British sovereign territory.

Despite the heated debate, Trump reassured that US-UK relations remain strong. However, he insisted the UK must resist "Wokeism" and other challenges to maintain its global stance. The Conservatives have vowed ongoing resistance, determined to fight what they term the "Chagos Surrender."

This unfolding controversy highlights deep divisions over the deal, with Trump’s involvement amplifying the political tumult. The calls for Starmer to reconsider the decision grow louder, underscoring the strategic importance of the Chagos Islands and the pressure from across the Atlantic.

Key Takeaways

• Trump condemns Starmer's Chagos Islands deal.

• Conservatives oppose potential security risks.

• Strategic significance of Chagos Islands central to debate.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 18 Feb 2026

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Can't wait for the Trump obsessed haters on this one. Stamer's a fool as this hands a very strategic location to the Chinese.

May 2025

https://www.state.gov/u-s-support-for-uk-and-mauritius-agreement-on-chagos-archipelago

Today, the United States welcomed the historic agreement between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Mauritius on the future of the British Indian Ocean Territory—specifically, the Chagos Archipelago.

We commend both the United Kingdom and Mauritius for their leadership, vision, and commitment to ensure that Diego Garcia remains fully operational for the duration of this agreement.  We look forward to working closely with both governments to strengthen our collaboration in support of regional peace and stability.

Following a comprehensive interagency review, the Trump Administration determined that this agreement secures the long-term, stable, and effective operation of the joint U.S.-UK military facility at Diego Garcia. This is a critical asset for regional and global security.  President Trump expressed his support for this monumental achievement during his meeting with Prime Minister Starmer at the White House.

20th January 2026

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/trump-slams-uk-deal-to-hand-over-chagos-islands-after-he-previously-supported-it

Shockingly, our 'brilliant' NATO Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia, the site of a vital U.S. Military Base, to Mauritius, and to do so FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER.......There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness.........The UK giving away extremely important land is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY, and is another in a very long line of National Security reasons why Greenland has to be acquired

5th February

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116019287824035088

I have had very productive discussions with Prime Minister Keir Starmer about the Island of Diego Garcia.
 
It is the site of a major U.S. Military Base, strategically situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean and, therefore, of great importance to the National Security of the United States.........

.......I understand that the deal Prime Minister Starmer has made, according to many, the best he could make. However, if the lease deal, sometime in the future, ever falls apart, or anyone threatens or endangers U.S. operations and forces at our Base, I retain the right to Militarily secure and reinforce the American presence in Diego Garcia.
 

Flip Flop Taco.

Of course, what we should be doing is wooing Mauritius, if that Chagossian rock is so important (and in 20 years, it probably won't be; transitioning to a renewable energy policy essentially renders the Arabs and Iranians as irrelevant). Maybe the Americans should pay for a dam there. Probably a bargain in terms of diplomatic brownie points. A Rand analysis:

https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2025/01/the-devil-will-be-in-the-details-a-formal-uk-mauritius.html

Diego Garcia remains a British military base with foreign freeloading guests. I expect Naval Party 1002 to do its duty if there is an unwanted foreign miitary take over, and at least attempt to give a bloody nose, to paraphrase Lieutenant Keith Mills.

People more knowledgeable about the region actually say its complete <deleted> that Mauritius will become Pro-Chinese, because basically the population is Indian (3% Chinese). Indians hate the Chinese.

Perhaps Trump needs to talk to his Secretary of State!

3 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Can't wait for the Trump obsessed haters on this one.

Obviously we didn't have to wait long for the ignorant MAGA members on this forum to make a post in support of TACO

25 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

Obviously we didn't have to wait long for the ignorant MAGA members on this forum to make a post in support of TACO

You do know where this island is and the strategic importance of it I hope. Do you think handing it over to Iran/China is a good thing. Do you support this move by Starmer only because of your irrational hate for all things Trump?

I don't remember America complaining when Britain gave up it's empire. Anywhere is strategic if you have missiles. As for the UK-USA, America has already trod that into the ground.

Starmer's deal stinks. The money trail needs very close scrutiny.

I will give him a month and he will forget all about this. I doubt he even know where is Chagos island. All this China threat is a myth that even UK Foreign Office dismissed. There are enough safeguards in the agreement to prohibit foreign forces building bases on the outer islands. Moreover Mauritius is non aligned and has a neutral foreign policy cooperating with US, China and India. Being a very small nation, Mauritius is in no condition to align with any one super power that will jeopardize its economic and political existence with others.

Mauritius never owned the Chagos islands to start with. Stupidity is all it is.

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

You do know where this island is and the strategic importance of it I hope. Do you think handing it over to Iran/China is a good thing. Do you support this move by Starmer only because of your irrational hate for all things Trump?

Maybe you should ask Trump which you blindly support, if he knows, as it is obvious that he can't make up his mind.

So tell us which version of his TACO's you support?

Trump forgot he approved the deal less than one year ago! 🤣🤣🤣

"Following a comprehensive interagency review, the Trump Administration determined that this agreement secures the long-term, stable, and effective operation of the joint U.S.-UK military facility at Diego Garcia. This is a critical asset for regional and global security.  President Trump expressed his support for this monumental achievement during his meeting with Prime Minister Starmer at the White House."

https://www.state.gov/u-s-support-for-uk-and-mauritius-agreement-on-chagos-archipelago

Trump is right.

The idea is stupidity of the highest level. An act of self harm by duplicitous politicians who hate Britain.

I also smell corruption from UK politicians.

4 hours ago, JonnyF said:

The idea is stupidity of the highest level.

It is Trump's stupidity of the highest level as in the past he heralded the agreement.

Dementia to say the least.

Trump needs to make his mind up on this one.

He's flip-flopped on this at least 3 times, so far.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/trump-chagos-starmer-diego-garcia-b2923407.html

I looked Trump in the eye as he backed the Chagos Islands deal. His constant U-turns are baffling

The Truth Social post came just one day after Mr Trump’s administration said he supported the deal that would return the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius. Earlier in February, he had also backed the proposals, saying Sir Keir’s deal was “the best he could make”.

And last year, when the deal was first done, he also backed it, as mentioned in the article.

His latest criticism of it comes just a day after the US State Department endorsed the deal.

A stopped clock is right twice a day and Trump is right on this one. Giving away territory and committing to pay rent for the next 99 years? Not the smartest deal, who is benefitting financially? Starmers mate Sands for one!

The UK blocked the use of RAF Fairford and RAF Station Diego Garcia for use in planned bombing missions against Iran, a reminder that the US only operates from UK soil by British consent, through an act of parliament.

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/trump-chagos-islands-deal-iran-attack-british-bases-kcj0gzbr8?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqfX_9nRV4wvOXTsZ525bixgUMuX5wvslwez8T8nxCxrurvLGYB2LlSpULpiWuQ%3D&gaa_ts=6997a0cb&gaa_sig=5TV3ZLuvZhqk9IcWkfKTaUafE-8mlPoN2XPa_ub6l64rQHDst5XYXjgFoc6LKQbwNeeernLjH9wpQ87ILu8DNw%3D%3D

The last time was in 2013, when Prime Minister Cameron refused permission for the US to use RAF bases to stage attacks on Syrian government positions.

Almost exactly the same happened in 2012, with a British Conservative PM and an American Democrat President.

https://lobelog.com/major-us-uk-tiff-over-legality-of-iran-strike/

In dramatic contrast to apparent US assumptions of legality concerning preventative military action against Iran is the statement the Guardian obtained from a UK government source that “’The UK would be in breach of international law if it facilitated what amounted to a pre-emptive strike on Iran.’” In fact, reportedly based on legal advice from the UK’s attorney general, the UK has denied the US use of important British bases on Ascension Island, Cyprus, and Diego Garcia. The UK position should be of legal interest in Washington because Great Britain would not be the attacking nation, merely a government assisting the attacker. If UK legal instincts are so extraordinarily cautious about even passively aiding an attacker, one wonders how the US, in the role of the attacker, could muster such confidence about being on legal solid ground

14 hours ago, Srikcir said:

It is Trump's stupidity of the highest level as in the past he heralded the agreement.

Dementia to say the least.

Trump isn't giving away US territory and then leasing it back for billions.

18 hours ago, GroveHillWanderer said:

Trump needs to make his mind up on this one.

He's flip-flopped on this at least 3 times, so far.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/trump-chagos-starmer-diego-garcia-b2923407.html

I looked Trump in the eye as he backed the Chagos Islands deal. His constant U-turns are baffling

The Truth Social post came just one day after Mr Trump’s administration said he supported the deal that would return the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius. Earlier in February, he had also backed the proposals, saying Sir Keir’s deal was “the best he could make”.

And last year, when the deal was first done, he also backed it, as mentioned in the article.

His latest criticism of it comes just a day after the US State Department endorsed the deal.

Trump is completely erratic. He probably doesn't even remember what he said before! 😁

On 2/19/2026 at 12:07 PM, candide said:

Trump forgot he approved the deal less than one year ago! 🤣🤣🤣

"Following a comprehensive interagency review, the Trump Administration determined that this agreement secures the long-term, stable, and effective operation of the joint U.S.-UK military facility at Diego Garcia. This is a critical asset for regional and global security.  President Trump expressed his support for this monumental achievement during his meeting with Prime Minister Starmer at the White House."

https://www.state.gov/u-s-support-for-uk-and-mauritius-agreement-on-chagos-archipelago

Now. You really can't expect Trump to remember something he said a year ago. A little over a

year ago he was running on no US investment in foreign wars and criticizing US military involvement in the Middle East- today he already attaked Venezuela and is threatening war against Iran. He has no real foreign policy except what he wants to do right now (and whatever will distract from the Epstin files.)