Washington, United States. U.S. President Donald Trump said Britain’s plan to cede sovereignty of Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands to Mauritius was an “act of total weakness” and linked it to his argument that Greenland must be acquired for national security reasons.
The island houses a strategically important U.S.-UK air base in the Indian Ocean.
Trump criticizes UK-Mauritius agreement
Britain and Mauritius last year struck a deal to pass sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while allowing Britain to retain control of the air base under a long-term lease.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social account that the United Kingdom was planning to “give away the Island of Diego Garcia, the site of a vital U.S. Military Base, to Mauritius,” adding that it was being done “FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER.”
Trump said there was no doubt that “China and Russia have noticed this act” by Britain.
UK response and timeline
The UK government did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on Tuesday.
Britain’s deal with Mauritius was delayed after Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, with London wanting to give the new administration time to examine the details of the plan. In February of that year, Trump said he was “inclined to go along” with Britain on the agreement.
Greenland remarks
Trump has previously said that the encroaching presence of China and Russia makes Greenland vital to U.S. security interests and has repeatedly insisted he will settle for nothing less than ownership of Greenland.
What do you think Britain’s deal with Mauritius could mean for the future of the Diego Garcia air base?