UK reviewing Chagos Islands deal after Trump brands it ’terrible’

The British government is reviewing the recently concluded deal concerning the Chagos Islands following criticisms by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who called it "terrible." Defense Secretary Wes Streeting pledged to collaborate with the Trump administration to finalize an agreement, emphasizing that ignoring Trump's concerns about the deal would not be prudent.

The decision to review the deal followed a meeting between Trump and former Foreign Secretary Andy Burnham, where Trump disparaged the agreement brokered by Starmer's predecessor. Under the latest version of the plan, Mauritius would assume sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, with the U.S. military base at Diego Garcia returning to British and U.S. leasehold for an annual cost of £101 million.

Critics, including some right-wing politicians in the U.K., argue that the deal could inadvertently facilitate China's strategic interests in the region. Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire for unrestricted access to the base, deeming it crucial for U.S. interests, particularly in light of its conflict with Iran. Streeting indicated that he had approached the situation with a renewed perspective since assuming his role in July and reiterated that the British strategy does not involve waiting for Trump's departure.

He acknowledged that working with the U.S. administration would be challenging and meticulous. Burnham, in turn, emphasized the importance of addressing the U.S. and U.K. concerns to secure a resolution that safeguards the base's future, which holds significance for both nations' security interests, as well as the U.S.'s broader geopolitical objectives.