Chagos deal paused over Trump opposition, minister confirms
Chagos Islands Agreement Suspended Due to Trump’s Withdrawal
UK Foreign Minister Stephen Doughty confirmed that the Chagos Islands deal has been indefinitely suspended following US President Donald Trump’s reversal of support for the agreement. The plan involved transferring sovereignty of the territory to Mauritius while maintaining a joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, the archipelago’s main island, through annual payments averaging £101m ($136m).
Trump had previously endorsed the treaty but shifted his stance in January, criticizing it as an “act of total weakness.” His opposition prompted Doughty to address the issue during a parliamentary session, responding to an Urgent Question from the Conservative opposition. The minister emphasized that the updated terms of the 1966 UK-US agreement—known as the Exchange of Notes—could not advance without Trump’s backing, despite prior coordination between the US and UK governments.
“Recent weeks have seen a change in the US president’s position, making it impossible to agree at the political level on an update to the Exchange of Notes,” Doughty stated.
While the UK and Mauritius finalized the agreement last year, the legislation to formalize the deal remains unpassed. Doughty noted that no payments would occur during the delay, as the treaty’s ratification is still pending. The prime minister’s spokesperson added that the government would consult with the US and Mauritius before deciding on next steps, without committing to a new bill in the upcoming session starting on 13 May.
Costs and Concerns
The original agreement outlined a total payment of £3.4 billion over 99 years for the lease of Diego Garcia. However, critics argue the true cost could reach £35 billion when adjusted for inflation, raising fears of China’s potential influence on the territory. The delay has also sparked debate over whether the UK will pursue the deal without US approval.
“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?” asked Conservative shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel.
Although the Chagos Bill is not among the five parliamentary bills set to continue into the next session, Doughty highlighted that the agreement’s legal framework remains essential. He stressed that the delay was unavoidable but reiterated the necessity of the treaty for securing the lease arrangement. The minister’s frustration with Trump’s stance was evident as he underscored the unresolved nature of the political negotiations.