Key Points
- Donald Trump criticized the UK’s Chagos Islands deal just before the World Economic Forum in Davos.
- The agreement transfers sovereignty to Mauritius while leasing back the Diego Garcia military base.
- The comments deepen tensions between the US and its European NATO allies.
US President Donald Trump has publicly lashed out at the United Kingdom over its decision to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, calling the move “an act of great stupidity” and raising fresh questions about the future of the so called “special relationship” between the two longtime allies.
The remarks, posted on Trump’s Truth Social platform on Tuesday, came just days before his scheduled appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Where global leaders are expected to discuss security, trade and geopolitical stability.
Why the Chagos Islands Deal Matters
The Chagos archipelago includes Diego Garcia, a strategically vital location that hosts a joint UK/US military base.
The facility has played a crucial role in American and British military operations across the Middle East, Africa and the Indo Pacific region.
Under a deal agreed in May 2025, Britain transferred sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius while retaining control of the Diego Garcia base through a long term lease worth £101 million, or about $135.7 million, per year.
At the time, the White House publicly welcomed the agreement, describing it as a way to safeguard the base’s future amid mounting international legal pressure on the UK’s claim to the territory.
Trump took a sharply different tone on Tuesday. “Shockingly, our ‘brilliant’ NATO Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia.
The site of a vital US Military Base, to Mauritius, and to do so FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER,” he wrote.
He warned that China and Russia would interpret the move as a sign of weakness, arguing that global powers only respect strength.
“The UK giving away extremely important land is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY,” Trump added.
He also linked the decision to his controversial stance on Greenland, claiming it reinforced his argument that the Arctic territory must be acquired by the United States for national security reasons.
Growing Rift Among NATO Allies
Trump’s comments come amid rising friction between the US and several of its European NATO partners.
His repeated calls for the US to take control of Greenland, a semi autonomous Danish territory, have alarmed European leaders.Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly said the island is not for sale.
Trump, however, has refused to rule out military action and has threatened economic retaliation, including steep tariffs, against countries opposing his position. The UK is the second NATO ally Trump has publicly attacked in as many days.
On Monday, he threatened two hundred percent tariffs on French wines and Champagne after French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly declined to participate in what Trump described as a “Board of Peace” for Gaza.
UK Response and Diplomatic Fallout
British officials have tried to downplay the impact of Trump’s remarks, emphasizing that the Chagos Islands deal was designed to protect, not weaken, long-term security arrangements.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said earlier this week that Britain continues to value its close alliance with Washington but stressed that only Greenland and Denmark can determine the Arctic island’s future.
The UK government has argued that legal challenges to its sovereignty over the Chagos Islands had begun to threaten the stability of the Diego Garcia base, making a negotiated settlement necessary.
Trump’s comments have injected fresh uncertainty into US/UK relations at a time when Western alliances are under pressure from conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza and growing competition with China.
Diplomats expect the Chagos Islands deal, Greenland and trade tensions to feature in private discussions on the sidelines of the Davos summit, where leaders will attempt to present a united front on global security and economic cooperation.
Author’s Perspective
In my analysis, the Chagos Islands dispute reflects how basing rights are now shaped by international lawfare, alliance politics and Indo Pacific power competition, not just military need.
I predict formalized multilateral leasing frameworks will become standard for strategic bases. For ordinary citizens, this affects security costs and taxes.
Track parliamentary ratification clauses and defense appropriations cycles globally closely.
NOTE! This report was compiled from multiple reliable sources, including official statements, press releases, and verified media coverage.
Adnan Rasheed, Lead Research Analyst
