For or against? Timeline of Trump’s meandering position on UK Chagos deal

Original article by Jamie Grierson

Just when Keir Starmer thought it was safe to go back into the water, Donald Trump has struck again with another public broadside against the UK’s deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

Under the terms of the deal, the UK will give up control of the Chagos archipelago while paying to maintain control of a joint US-UK military base on the largest island, Diego Garcia, under a 99-year lease.

The US president has played hokey cokey with his backing for the agreement, giving and withdrawing his support repeatedly over the last year.

Here we look at Washington’s meandering position:

27 February 2025

For the deal

In February 2025, Starmer visited the US in a high-stakes trip for transatlantic diplomacy. The so-called special relationship remained intact at its conclusion, with many commentators calling the visit a success for Starmer.

During a Q&A, Trump was asked about the Chagos deal and replied:

We’re going to have some discussions about that very soon, and I have a feeling it’s going to work out very well.

He continued:

They’re talking about a very long-term, powerful lease, a very strong lease, about 140 years actually.

That’s a long time, and I think we’ll be inclined to go along with your country.

1 April 2025

For the deal

Trump signed off the UK’s handover of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, paving the way for the UK to cede sovereignty over its last African colony.

The prime minister’s spokesperson at the time said the deal was being finalised after receiving the green light from Trump. He said:

My understanding is it’s now between us and the Mauritian government to finalise the deal, following the discussions with the US.

22 May 2025

For the deal

The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, who previously raised concerns about the Chagos deal while serving as the Florida senator, issued an emphatic statement giving the agreement his full backing on behalf of the US.

The statement in full said:

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 US-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.

This milestone reflects the enduring strength of the US-UK relationship – a relationship that, as demonstrated by the US-UK trade deal announced on 8 May, extends far beyond defense to encompass economic growth, innovation, and shared global leadership.

Although the United States is not a party to this agreement, we remain responsible for operating the US naval support facility on Diego Garcia, which continues to play a vital role in supporting forward-deployed operational forces and advancing security across the region.

The United States values its partnership with both the United Kingdom and Mauritius, and we stand ready to continue our collaboration to promote peace, security, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean and beyond.

20 January 2026

Against the deal

As tensions rose over Trump’s pronouncements on Greenland – and European countries, including the UK, took a hardline stance on the Danish territory’s sovereignty – Trump rocked the special relationship with his first public criticism of the Chagos deal.

He posted on his Truth Social platform:

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. These are International Powers who only recognize STRENGTH, which is why the United States of America, under my leadership, is now, after only one year, respected like never before. 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. Denmark and its European Allies have to DO THE RIGHT THING. Thank you for your attention to this matter. PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP

5 February 2026

For the deal

It was reported that Trump and Starmer had spoken by phone, with Downing Street saying the two leaders “agreed on the importance” of the deal to secure the base.

A spokesperson said they agreed the UK and US would “continue to work closely on the implementation of the deal”.

Trump posted on Truth Social that his discussions with Starmer were “very productive”. He wrote:

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 US operations and forces at our base, I retain the right to militarily secure and reinforce the American presence in Diego Garcia.

Asked about Trump’s comments, the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, told reporters: “He spoke with Prime Minister Starmer directly, he understands Prime Minister Starmer’s position – and he supports it.

“But as the president reiterated in that statement, of course, the United States reserves the right to protect our assets.”

17 February 2026

For the deal

The US state department issued a statement that once again emphasised the US government’s backing for the deal. It said:

The United States supports the decision of the United Kingdom to proceed with its agreement with Mauritius concerning the Chagos archipelago. The United States reiterates its desire to conclude a bilateral agreement with the United Kingdom to guarantee continued use of basing and other facilities in the Chagos archipelago to advance U.S. national security, as well as security and stability across the Indian Ocean.

18 February 2026

Against the deal

But just one day later, Trump blew this up again with a lengthy post on Truth Social urging Starmer to ditch the Chagos deal.

It read:

I have been telling Prime Minister Keir Starmer, of the United Kingdom, that Leases are no good when it comes to Countries, and that he is making a big mistake by entering a 100 Year Lease with whoever it is that is “claiming” Right, Title, and Interest to Diego Garcia, strategically located in the Indian Ocean. Our relationship with the United Kingdom is a strong and powerful one, and it has been for many years, but Prime Minister Starmer is losing control of this important Island by claims of entities never known of before. In our opinion, they are fictitious in nature. Should Iran decide not to make a Deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime – An attack that would potentially be made on the United Kingdom, as well as other friendly Countries. Prime Minister Starmer should not lose control, for any reason, of Diego Garcia, by entering a tenuous, at best, 100 Year Lease. This land should not be taken away from the U.K. and, if it is allowed to be, it will be a blight on our Great Ally. We will always be ready, willing, and able to fight for the U.K., but they have to remain strong in the face of Wokeism, and other problems put before them. DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA!