Today January 20, 2026, 07:55 AM
Today January 20, 2026, 07:55 AM
U.S. President Donald Trump on January 20, 2026, publicly criticised the United Kingdom’s agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, including the strategically important Diego Garcia military base, to Mauritius. Trump described the deal as an “act of total weakness” and “great stupidity” in posts on his Truth Social platform while travelling in Davos, Switzerland.
Trump said on Truth Social that Britain’s decision to cede the islands was inexplicable and asserted that geopolitical rivals China and Russia would view the move as a sign of allied weakness. He linked his comments on the Chagos Islands arrangement to his broader argument for the United States to pursue control of Greenland for strategic reasons.
Under the 2025 agreement between London and Port Louis, Mauritius is to gain sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago while the UK retains use of Diego Garcia under a long-term lease that also allows continued U.S. military operations. The base on Diego Garcia is a key joint UK-US facility in the Indian Ocean.
Trump’s statements mark a notable shift from his earlier position in 2025, when he indicated he was inclined to support the UK-Mauritius arrangement during talks with British officials. His latest remarks come amid tensions among NATO allies over strategic priorities.
The UK government did not immediately issue a response to Trump’s comments, and there are no verified reports of changes to the Chagos Islands deal following his critique. The treaty’s implementation remains subject to domestic and international procedures.
Sources
Reuters
The Guardian
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