Washington, Jan 20 (UNI) US President Donald Trump has sharply criticised the United Kingdom’s deal to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, to Mauritius, calling the move an act of "total weakness" and “great stupidity” as well as a threat to Western security.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed alarm over reports that London is preparing to transfer control of Diego Garcia, which houses a strategically vital US-UK military base.
Dona Trump said, "Shockingly, our “brilliant” NATO Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia, the site of a vital US Military Base, to Mauritius, and to do so FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER," Trump said.
He warned that the move would be interpreted as weakness by global rivals.

"There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness. These are International Powers who only recognize STRENGTH, which is why the United States of America, under my leadership, is now, after only one year, respected like never before. The UK giving away extremely important land is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY, and is another in a very long line of National Security reasons why Greenland has to be acquired. Denmark and its European Allies have to DO THE RIGHT THING," Trump said on social media.
Diego Garcia is a highly secretive joint UK-US military base that has long been shrouded in secrecy. Administered from London, the island lies at the centre of a decades-long territorial dispute between the UK and Mauritius, with negotiations intensifying in recent weeks.
Located about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) from the nearest landmass, Diego Garcia is among the world’s most isolated islands. There are no commercial flights, and access by sea is tightly restricted, with permits granted only for the archipelago’s outer islands or for safe passage through the Indian Ocean. Entry to Diego Garcia itself requires special permission, limited to individuals connected to the military facility or the British authorities administering the territory.
UK ministers have come under increasing pressure over the proposed agreement, which would transfer sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius while allowing the military base to remain under UK control on a 99-year lease.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the deal in Parliament, arguing that it was essential for the continued operation of the base. “Without legal certainty, the base cannot operate in practical terms as it should,” Starmer told MPs. “That is bad for our national security and it’s a gift for our adversaries.”
Some MPs were concerned the deal could strain relations with Trump’s administration. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had criticised the agreement even before his appointment and reportedly raised the issue in his first call with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy earlier this month.
The agreement has drawn strong criticism across the UK political spectrum. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described the plan as an “immoral surrender,” while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage warned that the move could have economic repercussions once the US reacts.
UNI AAB