Trump Criticizes Britain’s Plan to Cede Sovereignty of Diego Garcia in Chagos Islands to Mauritius
President Donald Trump expressed his disapproval of Britain’s decision to transfer sovereignty of the island of Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, calling it an “act of total weakness.” He emphasized the strategic importance of Diego Garcia, which houses a crucial US-UK air base in the Indian Ocean.
Last year, Britain and Mauritius reached an agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos islands to Mauritius while allowing Britain to maintain control of the air base through a long-term lease.
Trump took to his Truth Social account to criticize the move, stating that the UK’s decision to give away Diego Garcia to Mauritius without any valid reason has not gone unnoticed by China and Russia.
The UK government has yet to respond to requests for comments on this matter.
Trump has previously underscored the significance of Greenland in light of the growing presence of China and Russia, asserting that Greenland must be acquired by the US. He has been adamant about the ownership of Greenland as a critical national security interest.
The deal between Britain and Mauritius faced delays following Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, as the UK government wanted the new administration to review the agreement.
In February of the same year, Trump indicated his willingness to support Britain’s decision regarding the agreement.
