Trump tells UK’s Burnham: ‘We can do business’ — but blasts ‘terrible’ Chagos deal

US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham met at the United Nations, discussing various international issues. Upon concluding their 40-minute meeting, Trump stated he considered Burnham to be a "natural business person" and believed the two had a solid rapport. However, their conversation was overshadowed by the contentious topic of the Chagos Islands.

The Chagos Islands, a strategically vital Indian Ocean archipelago, were the subject of heated disagreement. Britain had controlled the islands for over two centuries, and under a 2025 agreement with Mauritius, sovereignty would transfer to Mauritius while Britain would retain a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia, home to a crucial US-UK military facility. The implementation of the arrangement was currently on hold due to US opposition.

Trump vehemently opposed the Chagos deal, calling it a "terrible deal" and emphasizing the strategic importance of Diego Garcia. He argued that US military operations, particularly the Iran conflict, would be significantly more challenging if the US could not utilize Diego Garcia for initial strikes. The president's stance underscored the significance of Diego Garcia's role in US military strategy in the Indian Ocean.

Burnham, for his part, indicated he would review the Chagos Islands deal to find a resolution. The contentious issue exemplified the complex interplay of British sovereignty, Mauritian territorial claims, and US military strategy.