Do not give away Diego Garcia, Trump tells UK in fresh attack on Chagos deal

In a recent statement, U.S. President Donald Trump urged the United Kingdom not to cede control of the strategic island of Diego Garcia, criticizing the Chagos Deal that the United Kingdom had just received U.S. backing. Trump’s remarks came a day after the United States formally endorsed Britain’s agreement to transfer sovereignty over Chagos, a move that has raised concerns about the future status of the U.S. military base on Diego Garcia. Trump’s warning underscores growing tensions over the sovereignty and strategic importance of the island, which remains a pivotal U.S. military outpost in the Indian Ocean. He argues that relinquishing control could jeopardise U.S. security interests and compromise the reliability of the base, especially as regional dynamics shift. The UK’s decision to allow a sovereignty transfer, backed by Washington, highlights the complex interplay between allies, colonial legacies, and contemporary geopolitical concerns. While the U.S. government has officially supported the Chagos sovereignty deal, Trump’s comments suggest a reservation that could influence future U.S.–UK diplomatic relations and the outlook for U.S. military posture in the Indian Ocean region.