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Trump Slams UK’s Chagos Islands Sovereignty Transfer Plan

2/4/2026

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Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke by phone about the Chagos Islands and Diego Garcia.
Trump criticized the UK plan to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius, calling it an "act of total weakness."
He had previously supported the deal but reversed after a warning from U.S. Senator John Kennedy.
The State Department is expected to formally announce the change, reflecting ongoing tensions over the islands’ future.

History

Historical Context

In 1965, the UK detached the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius, establishing the British Indian Ocean Territory and facilitating the creation of a U.S. military base on Diego Garcia. This led to the forced removal of the Chagossian population. In 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled that the UK must return the islands to Mauritius, culminating in a 2025 agreement to transfer sovereignty while retaining military operations.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke by phone about the Chagos Islands and Diego Garcia.
Trump criticized the UK plan to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius, calling it an "act of total weakness."
He had previously supported the deal but reversed after a warning from U.S. Senator John Kennedy.
The State Department is expected to formally announce the change, reflecting ongoing tensions over the islands’ future.

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