Archive · 20 Jan 2026
Trump Criticizes UK's Diego Garcia Deal
President Trump is very upset with the UK for planning to give an island called Diego Garcia to Mauritius.
This island has a very important military base that the U.S. and UK use together.
Trump thinks this is a bad idea because it makes the U.S. less safe and thinks China and Russia will take advantage.
The UK says they are not giving up the base and will keep it for 100 more years.
Trump also wants to buy Greenland from Denmark, but Denmark says no.
There was a big argument about this at a meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
The UK and Mauritius made a deal last year, but Trump is now saying it's a mistake.
Some people who used to live on the island are also upset because they were not asked about the deal.
Trump criticized the UK's plan to cede sovereignty of Diego Garcia to Mauritius, calling it an 'act of great stupidity' and 'total weakness'.
Diego Garcia houses a strategically important U.S.-UK air base in the Indian Ocean.
Trump believes the deal would benefit China and Russia and weaken U.S. national security.
The UK defends the deal, stating it secures the military base for the next 100 years and will never compromise on national security.
Trump also insists Greenland is imperative for national and world security and should be acquired by the U.S., but Denmark and Greenland leaders have stated the island is not for sale.
- Who
- U.S. President Donald Trump, UK, Mauritius
- What
- Criticism of UK's plan to cede sovereignty of Diego Garcia to Mauritius
- When
- January 20, 2026
- Where
- Chagos Islands, Indian Ocean
- Why
- Trump believes it weakens national security and benefits China and Russia
Trump's Stance
UK's Stance
Transfer of Diego Garcia
Trump's Stance
Trump calls it an 'act of great stupidity' and 'total weakness', arguing it benefits China and Russia and weakens U.S. national security.
UK's Stance
The UK defends the deal, stating it secures the military base for the next 100 years and will never compromise on national security.
Greenland Acquisition
Trump's Stance
Trump insists Greenland is imperative for national and world security and should be acquired by the U.S.
UK's Stance
Denmark and Greenland leaders have stated the island is not for sale and does not want to be part of the United States.
- Island
- Diego Garcia
- Location
- Chagos Islands, Indian Ocean
- Air Base
- U.S.-UK military base
- Deal Involved
- UK to cede sovereignty to Mauritius
- Trump's Statement
- Called it an 'act of total weakness'
- UK's Response
- Defended the deal, stating it secures the base for 100 years
- Deal Status
- Signed in May 2025, with a 99-year lease for the base
- Annual Lease Cost
- £101 million
- Displaced Population
- Up to 2,000 Chagossians in the 1960s-70s
- Current Population
- Around 4,000 people stationed on the islands
Sources
Trump calls UK’s Chagos deal with Mauritius an ‘act of total weakness’
'China, Russia have noticed this weakness': Trump slams UK for Chagos deal with Mauritius
US Treasury Secretary Bessent brushes off ‘hysteria’ over Greenland
Factbox-Key facts about Chagos Islands deal signed by UK and Mauritius
'Act of great stupidity': Trump slams UK over Chagos Islands deal, Britain responds
'Act Of Great Stupidity': Trump Slams UK's Transfer Of 'Diego Garcia' Island To Mauritius
Greenland US Territory Est 2026: Trump Shares New Map Of America Including Canada, Venuzuela, Greenland
US President Donald Trump Has ‘Very Good’ Telephone Call With NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Regarding Greenland
Trump slams UK’s Chagos handover to Mauritius as ‘an act of great stupidity’ after earlier backing it
Trump calls UK’s Chagos deal with Mauritius ‘stupid’ and ‘weak”
Trump slams UK over plans to “give away” key US military base Diego Garcia island to Mauritius
After Greenland, Trump eyes Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia, calls out UK’s deal
In stunning U-turn, Trump slams UK for Chagos handover, calls it an ‘act of great stupidity’
Trump's Ire, UK's Defence: What Is The Big 'Deal' About The Chagos Islands Returning To Mauritius?
Trump shares an AI map claiming Greenland, Canada and Venezuela as US territories
