Chagos deal paused over Trump opposition, minister confirms

Chagos Deal Halts Amid Trump’s Shift in Stance, Minister Says

The UK’s agreement on the Chagos Islands has stalled indefinitely following President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw his backing, confirmed by Foreign Secretary Stephen Doughty. The proposed treaty would have transferred sovereignty of the territory to Mauritius while enabling the UK to retain a 99-year lease on the Diego Garcia military base, with annual payments estimated at £101m ($136m) to the island nation.

Trump had previously endorsed the pact but reversed his position in January, calling it an “act of total weakness.” Doughty’s announcement came in response to a query from Conservative MPs, after the BBC reported that Sir Keir Starmer had delayed the deal. During his remarks in the House of Commons, Doughty emphasized Trump’s role, expressing frustration as he stated legislation would not advance during the current session.

“In recent weeks, the position of the United States president appears to have changed,” Doughty said. “And this means that, in practical terms, it has become impossible to agree at political level an update to the 1966 UK-US agreement concerning the Availability for Defence Purposes of the British Indian Ocean Territory, known as the Exchange of Notes.”

Despite the treaty having been negotiated in close coordination with the US under both current and prior administrations, including one Trump once called “very strong and powerful,” the update to the agreement now faces roadblocks. Doughty noted that the delay has left the UK unable to make payments tied to the deal, as the treaty remains unratified.

Conservative shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel pressed Doughty to clarify whether the government would pursue legislation without Trump’s support. She asked: “Will he rule out any new legislation coming forward next session, even if it isn’t in the King’s Speech, so that the surrender treaty cannot become operable?” Doughty responded that the Conservatives had initiated the process but left open whether a revised bill would be introduced.

The prime minister’s spokesperson stated the government would not commit to resuming the legislation before the next session, starting on 13 May. Meanwhile, Parliament has extended five other bills to debate beyond May 13, but the Chagos Bill is not among them. UK officials now plan to discuss future steps with US and Mauritian representatives.

Under the original terms, the UK would hand over the Indian Ocean archipelago to Mauritius while leasing the Diego Garcia base for £3.4 billion over 99 years. Critics, however, argue the true cost could reach £35 billion when adjusted for inflation, and warn it might allow China to gain influence on the islands.