A potential transfer of sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius is in jeopardy following objections from Donald Trump. The crucial bill related to the agreement will not be part of the upcoming King’s Speech, as Trump criticized it as a “foolish act” and withdrew his support. Despite this setback, Keir Starmer is determined to push for Trump’s endorsement of the deal.
Government officials are reportedly frustrated by Trump’s wavering stance, as he initially supported the agreement after extensive negotiations but later changed his mind amidst a dispute with NATO regarding Greenland. The proposed deal, which stirred controversy in the UK, involved transferring the islands to Mauritius and leasing Diego Garcia, a UK base, for 99 years, with an estimated cost of £3.5 billion.
Starmer’s relationship with Trump has deteriorated recently, highlighted by disagreements over the Middle East conflict. Trump criticized the UK for not using the island base in the initial strikes on Iran, leading to strained relations between the two leaders. Starmer criticized the legality and planning of the strikes, expressing discontent with Trump and Russian President Putin.
Although the deal was excluded from the King’s Speech on May 13, the government aims to persuade Trump to reconsider his position. Concerns have emerged that Mauritius might pursue a legal challenge to compel the UK to grant temporary access to waters around the islands, potentially complicating US patrols in the region.
