UK shelves Chagos deal after Trump opposition

UK Halts Chagos Agreement Amid Tensions with Trump

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has postponed the Chagos Islands agreement, citing deteriorating ties with President Donald Trump. The U.S. has not officially endorsed the treaty, which is a legal prerequisite for its implementation. Despite earlier backing, Trump recently criticized the plan, labeling it an “act of total weakness” in January. This shift has left the UK government uncertain about proceeding, though officials insist the deal is not entirely abandoned.

Deal Details and Legal Hurdles

The proposed agreement would transfer the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius while allowing the UK to lease Diego Garcia for a military base. The annual cost of this lease is estimated at £101 million. A government representative emphasized that maintaining the base’s operational security remains a top priority. “We continue to believe the agreement is the best way to secure Diego Garcia’s future,” the spokesperson said, noting the UK’s reliance on U.S. support to move forward.

“Ensuring its long-term operational security is and will continue to be our priority—it is the entire reason for the deal.”

Legislation to formalize the deal was in its final stages, but time is running out before Parliament dissolves. The revised bill is unlikely to appear in the King’s Speech this May. The UK has yet to receive the formal exchange of letters from the U.S., a critical step required to finalize the treaty. The Chagos Islands, a British territory in the Indian Ocean, have been under UK administration since the 19th century.

Political Reactions and Public Concern

Chagossians view the deal as a betrayal, fearing loss of their homeland. They advocate for UK sovereignty to enable their return. The shelving of the agreement has been welcomed by the Conservatives and Reform UK, which had previously opposed it. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch claimed the move reflects “Conservatives leading the fight against it from day one,” while Reform UK’s Nigel Farage called it “great news and long overdue.”

“If Keir Starmer’s Chagos surrender now finds its rightful place—on the ash heap of history—it will be because Conservatives led the fight against it from day one.”

“This is great news and long overdue. Now the government must right a terrible wrong and help the Chagossians to fully resettle their home.”

The Liberal Democrats criticized the handling of the deal as “totally shambolic,” from its initial proposal under the previous government to its current state. Calum Miller, the party’s foreign affairs spokesman, highlighted the need for clarity on U.S. military cooperation and Chagossian rights. “Trump’s fickle approach shows how unreliable he is,” he added, noting the strain on the UK’s partnership with the U.S.

Timeline and Shift in U.S. Stance

The agreement was signed in May 2025 and initially supported by the U.S. However, Trump’s opposition resurfaced in early 2026, when he accused the UK of “giving away Diego Garcia” and called the deal a “blight on our great ally.” This came despite the U.S. Department of State endorsing the plan just days prior. The situation has created uncertainty, with the UK now seeking to resolve the issue before the legislative deadline.