Donald Trump has accused Keir Starmer of committing an “act of great stupidity” by agreeing to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, in a sharp escalation of rhetoric that threatens to further strain the UK–US relationship.
In a late-night post on Truth Social, the US president claimed the decision showed “total weakness” and warned that both China and Russia would exploit it. The comments come just days after Starmer criticised Trump’s decision to threaten the UK and seven other European countries with tariffs over their opposition to US plans to take control of Greenland.
Trump’s intervention marks a striking reversal of his earlier position. The former president had previously given his blessing to the Chagos deal, which allows the UK–US military base at Diego Garcia to continue operating under a long-term lease arrangement.
🌍 What is the Chagos Islands deal?
The Chagos Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the Indian Ocean, are home to the strategically vital Diego Garcia military base, jointly used by the UK and the United States.
Under the agreement announced last year, the UK will formally recognise Mauritian sovereignty over the territory while leasing Diego Garcia back for 99 years. Britain is expected to pay around £9 billion over the lifetime of the deal to ensure the base continues to operate without disruption.
The agreement follows decades of legal challenges and international pressure, including advisory opinions from international courts questioning the UK’s continued control of the islands following the forced displacement of the Chagossian population in the 1960s and 1970s.
🔥 Trump’s extraordinary attack
In his Truth Social post, Trump directly linked the Chagos decision to wider geopolitical tensions and his own push to acquire Greenland.
“Shockingly, our ‘brilliant’ NATO Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia, the site of a vital U.S. Military Base, to Mauritius, and to do so FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER,” Trump wrote.
He continued: “There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness. These are International Powers who only recognize STRENGTH.”
Trump concluded by calling the move “an act of GREAT STUPIDITY” and argued it strengthened his case for US control of Greenland, claiming European allies “have to do the right thing”.
🤝 A blow to the ‘special relationship’
Trump’s comments are likely to be seen in Westminster as a significant diplomatic blow, particularly given Starmer’s efforts to preserve close ties with Washington despite growing disagreements over trade and security.
Unlike the European Union, the UK government has so far ruled out imposing retaliatory tariffs if Trump proceeds with his threat to introduce a 10% levy on British imports from February 1. Downing Street has argued that escalation would harm British businesses and consumers.
The Prime Minister has attempted to strike a conciliatory tone, emphasising cooperation over confrontation even as Trump’s rhetoric has become more combative.
🏛️ Starmer’s response so far
Speaking at a press conference in Downing Street earlier this week, Starmer said Britain would not be drawn into what he described as “gesture politics”.
“Britain is a pragmatic country: we look for agreement, we believe in partnership,” he said. “We prefer solutions to slogans, and we will not indulge in commentary and gesture politics that harm the British people.”
Downing Street has been contacted for comment on Trump’s latest remarks, but ministers have so far declined to respond directly to the attack.
⚖️ Strategic tensions growing
Trump’s criticism highlights the increasingly transactional tone of US foreign policy under his leadership, with security arrangements and trade being openly linked to political loyalty.
By tying the Chagos decision to his Greenland ambitions, Trump appears to be signalling that allied cooperation will be judged through a narrow lens of US strategic advantage.
For the UK, the episode underscores the challenge of balancing legal obligations, international pressure and alliance management at a time of heightened global instability.
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