U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized the agreement by Keir Starmer's government to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius. In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump called this decision "a great mistake," emphasizing the strategic importance of the Diego Garcia airbase. This warning coincides with growing tensions in relations with Iran, where the island facility could play a key role in military operations.

Trump's Strategic Opposition

The U.S. President believes that Keir Starmer is making a mistake by handing over sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, which threatens the Diego Garcia base.

Raw Material Security

Trump signed an executive order protecting supplies of phosphorus and glyphosate, recognizing them as key for U.S. national security.

Iranian Context

The base in the Indian Ocean is seen as essential in case of an attack on Iran, which the Pentagon is considering.

President of the United States Donald Trump made a sharp turn regarding the British-Mauritian agreement on the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Although just a day earlier the U.S. administration signaled support for the deal, Trump publicly called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to break off negotiations. The president's main argument is maintaining full control over the Diego Garcia base, which he described as crucial for U.S. national security. According to Trump, transferring sovereignty to entities "never before known" weakens the West's defense capabilities, especially in the context of a potential conflict with Iran. The Chagos Islands were separated from Mauritius in 1965, three years before the colony gained independence. In the 1970s, British authorities forcibly displaced the indigenous population to enable the construction of a strategic U.S. military base.Simultaneously with the diplomatic offensive, Donald Trump signed an executive order based on the Defense Production Act, aimed at securing supplies of phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides. Glyphosate was deemed by the president as essential for the country's food security, despite numerous critical voices regarding its impact on health. These two seemingly distant topics – control over a military base and raw material self-sufficiency – form a coherent America First doctrine, where the priority is hard military power and economic independence. 99 years — is the duration of the Diego Garcia base leaseTrump's resistance to the Chagos agreement puts British diplomacy in a difficult position. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer sought to resolve the dispute lasting for decades, counting on stabilizing the base's status through a 99-year lease. However, the Republican administration fears that changing sovereignty over the archipelago will create a gateway for Chinese influence in the region. The situation is complicated by the fact that the State Department earlier issued a positive opinion on the agreement, showing decision-making chaos in Washington or a deliberate pressure strategy on London. „Prime Minister Starmer is making a great mistake, losing control over this important island to entities no one has heard of before. DO NOT GIVE UP DIEGO GARCIA!” — Donald Trump Escalation of the Chagos Dispute: — ; — ; — ; —

Mentioned People

  • Keir Starmer — Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, criticized by Trump for the decision to hand over the Chagos Islands.
  • Donald Trump — President of the United States, who blocked support for the British-Mauritian agreement.
  • Karoline Leavitt — White House press secretary confirming the authenticity of the president's posts.