Trump Criticizes UK-Mauritius Deal Endangering Strategic US Military Base

President Trump dramatically reversed his position on Tuesday regarding the United Kingdom’s plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, warning the move could jeopardize U.S. access to the strategically vital Diego Garcia military base.

Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump called the U.K.’s decision “an act of great stupidity.” He expressed concern that transferring control of the islands could weaken America’s military footprint in a critical region.

“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. “There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness.”

The controversy centers around the Chagos Islands, which were separated from Mauritius during Britain’s decolonization process in the 1960s. In 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled this separation unlawful, putting pressure on the U.K. to resolve the territorial dispute.

The U.K. subsequently agreed to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius while negotiating to lease back Diego Garcia for at least 99 years, at a reported cost of at least $160 million annually. This arrangement was intended to maintain the critical U.S. military presence on the island.

Diego Garcia serves as a crucial hub for U.S. military operations, hosting long-range bombers and providing logistical support across the Middle East, Indo-Pacific, and Africa. Approximately 2,500 personnel, predominantly American, are stationed at the base.

Dr. John Hemmings, director of the National Security Center at the Henry Jackson Society, told Fox News Digital that Trump’s reversal is part of what he calls a “new Trump Doctrine” outlined in November’s National Security Strategy.

“Diego Garcia is a potential threat to Beijing’s strategy to control vital shipping lanes between the oil-rich Middle East and China’s industrial heartland,” Hemmings explained. “Nearly 23.7 million barrels of oil transit the Indian Ocean every day, with the base being vital in any U.S.-China conflict over Taiwan.”

In a separate post, Trump explicitly linked the Chagos situation to his controversial push to acquire Greenland from Denmark. “The U.K. 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,” Trump wrote.

Security experts have raised concerns about the long-term implications of the sovereignty transfer. While Mauritius has promised to honor the 99-year lease agreement with the U.K. and not interfere with U.S. operations, skeptics worry about potential future complications.

“If Mauritius were to offer the islands to China after taking de jure control, it would put immense pressure on the U.S. in the eyes of international public opinion,” Hemmings warned. “After all, once Mauritius has de jure sovereignty, it can renegotiate the lease terms or even renege on the treaty at any time it wants.”

The strategic importance of Diego Garcia extends beyond its military value. The exclusive economic zone surrounding the islands contains valuable fishing grounds, which could potentially be offered to Chinese fishing fleets, adding “another layer of risk to U.S. Air Force operations around the island,” according to Hemmings.

The dispute highlights the complex interplay between historical colonial legacies, international law, and modern geopolitical considerations in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific region. As China continues to expand its influence across the Indian Ocean, control over strategic locations like Diego Garcia takes on heightened significance for U.S. security interests.

The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment on Trump’s statements regarding the Chagos Islands or their connection to his Greenland acquisition aspirations.