Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Trump Calls Britain’s Chagos Islands Transfer to Mauritius ‘Terrible’
Donald Trump said he does not support Britain transferring the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
He called the proposed arrangement a terrible deal.
Trump said the islands are very important for military reasons.
A U.S.-British military base, Diego Garcia, is located there.
He also said American B-2 bombers had to fly a long way back to Missouri after attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Andy Burnham said he inherited the issue from former leader Keir Starmer.
Burnham said he believed Britain could find a solution with the United States.
The two leaders also talked about Iran, Ukraine, immigration, trade and energy.
Burnham said Britain wanted to help end the Iran conflict and reopen the Strait.
Donald Trump opposed Britain’s proposed transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, calling it “terrible.”
Trump said the territory was strategically important because of its military value and the Diego Garcia base.
He cited the long flight required for B-2 bombers returning to Missouri after attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Andy Burnham said he inherited the issue from Keir Starmer and was confident Britain could resolve it with U.S. partners.
The leaders also discussed Iran, Ukraine, immigration, trade, energy, the Falkland Islands and UK-U.S. relations.
- Who
- U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
- What
- Trump criticized Britain’s proposed transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and urged reconsideration.
- When
- During a 40-minute bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
- Where
- New York.
- Why
- Trump said the islands have major military and strategic importance, including because of the Diego Garcia base and their relevance to long-range bomber operations.
Support for the Proposed Transfer
Opposition to the Proposed Transfer
Control of the Chagos Islands
Support for the Proposed Transfer
Britain has proposed transferring sovereignty over the islands to Mauritius.
Opposition to the Proposed Transfer
Trump rejected the arrangement and questioned Mauritius’s ownership claim, saying it had not appeared until after decades and centuries.
Strategic importance
Support for the Proposed Transfer
Burnham said he inherited the issue and was confident Britain could find a resolution with U.S. partners, but he did not announce a change to the proposal.
Opposition to the Proposed Transfer
Trump said the territory was an extremely important military and strategic asset, particularly because of the Diego Garcia base.
UK-U.S. relations
Support for the Proposed Transfer
Burnham said Britain remained committed to its relationship with Washington and supported cooperation on Iran and the Middle East.
Opposition to the Proposed Transfer
Trump used the meeting to publicly press Britain to reconsider the Chagos arrangement, creating a significant point of friction.
- Proposed transfer
- Britain has proposed transferring sovereignty over the Chagos Islands from British control to Mauritius.
- Trump’s position
- Trump said he did not support the arrangement and called it “terrible.”
- Military significance
- The islands contain the Diego Garcia base, described as a joint U.S.-British military facility.
- B-2 bombers
- Trump said B-2 bombers had to fly back to Missouri after attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
- Burnham’s response
- Burnham said he inherited the issue from Keir Starmer and was confident of finding a resolution with U.S. partners.
- Other discussions
- The leaders discussed Iran, Ukraine, immigration, trade, energy, reindustrialization and the Falkland Islands.
- Iran
- Burnham said Iran must never become a nuclear power, while Trump said Iran had been talking with the United States.
