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Wednesday, Jan 21, 2026
Outside the box.
Trump Cites UK’s Chagos Islands Sovereignty Shift as Justification for Pursuing Greenland Acquisition
U.S. President sharply criticizes Britain’s decision to transfer control of the Indian Ocean archipelago, linking it to national security and his controversial Greenland ambitions
President Donald Trump on Tuesday publicly rebuked the United Kingdom’s decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, calling the move “an act of great stupidity” and a sign of weakness that he argues weakens Western strategic posture.
In a series of posts on his social media platform early in the day, Mr. Trump sharply criticized Britain’s plan to cede the remote Indian Ocean archipelago — which includes the strategically vital Diego Garcia military base — asserting that the decision demonstrates global “total weakness” and underscores, in his view, the need for the United States to acquire Greenland from Denmark.
This represents a pronounced shift from the earlier U.S. position, as his administration previously endorsed the 2025 agreement that allows both Britain and the United States to continue long-term use of the Diego Garcia base under a leaseback arrangement that secures operations for generations, even as sovereignty reverts to Mauritius.
The British government responded firmly to Mr. Trump’s remarks, reaffirming that the treaty strengthens — rather than undermines — the future operations of the joint U.S.-U.K. facility and insisting the deal enjoys continued U.S. support from senior officials and intelligence partners.
Downing Street emphasized that the arrangement provides robust legal protections and preserves the base’s unique capabilities while keeping adversaries at bay.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office called for “calm discussions between allies” to resolve differences, underscoring the long-standing strength of the transatlantic relationship.
Across the House of Commons, ministers acknowledged the surprise of Mr. Trump’s criticism but stressed that Britain remains committed to the legally binding treaty with Mauritius, which was negotiated to address past international court rulings and uphold security interests.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, speaking in London, sought to ease tensions, describing his visit as an effort to “calm the waters” and reiterating that allied cooperation remains fundamental to confronting shared global threats.
Mr. Trump’s linking of the Chagos decision to his controversial Greenland ambitions highlights growing friction in relations with European allies over territorial strategy, even as officials on both sides affirm their commitment to longstanding defense partnerships.
In a series of posts on his social media platform early in the day, Mr. Trump sharply criticized Britain’s plan to cede the remote Indian Ocean archipelago — which includes the strategically vital Diego Garcia military base — asserting that the decision demonstrates global “total weakness” and underscores, in his view, the need for the United States to acquire Greenland from Denmark.
This represents a pronounced shift from the earlier U.S. position, as his administration previously endorsed the 2025 agreement that allows both Britain and the United States to continue long-term use of the Diego Garcia base under a leaseback arrangement that secures operations for generations, even as sovereignty reverts to Mauritius.
The British government responded firmly to Mr. Trump’s remarks, reaffirming that the treaty strengthens — rather than undermines — the future operations of the joint U.S.-U.K. facility and insisting the deal enjoys continued U.S. support from senior officials and intelligence partners.
Downing Street emphasized that the arrangement provides robust legal protections and preserves the base’s unique capabilities while keeping adversaries at bay.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office called for “calm discussions between allies” to resolve differences, underscoring the long-standing strength of the transatlantic relationship.
Across the House of Commons, ministers acknowledged the surprise of Mr. Trump’s criticism but stressed that Britain remains committed to the legally binding treaty with Mauritius, which was negotiated to address past international court rulings and uphold security interests.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, speaking in London, sought to ease tensions, describing his visit as an effort to “calm the waters” and reiterating that allied cooperation remains fundamental to confronting shared global threats.
Mr. Trump’s linking of the Chagos decision to his controversial Greenland ambitions highlights growing friction in relations with European allies over territorial strategy, even as officials on both sides affirm their commitment to longstanding defense partnerships.
