Trump softens stance on UK Chagos deal but stresses Diego Garcia security

President Donald Trump has moderated his earlier public criticism of a recent UK agreement concerning the Chagos Islands, while emphasizing that the United States will preserve its ability to protect its military interests on Diego Garcia. The president said Washington retains the right to “militarily secure” the American base on the strategically placed atoll, underlining the continuing importance of the facility for regional operations and logistics.

The statement signals a pragmatic shift in tone: rather than escalating a diplomatic dispute with London over sovereignty arrangements, the White House framed its position as a narrowly focused security guarantee. US officials have long described Diego Garcia as a vital hub for intelligence, surveillance and long-range power projection in the Indian Ocean. Any changes to basing rights would therefore draw concentrated attention in Washington.

UK government officials welcomed the clarification as a means to calm tensions, saying the agreement — struck to resolve competing claims over the Chagos archipelago — will not impede existing defense arrangements with the United States. The pact has been sensitive because it touches on sovereignty claims, the rights of Chagossian islanders, and longstanding strategic partnerships between allies.

Analysts say the president’s comments are intended to balance domestic political signaling with the practical need to maintain stable defence ties. By affirming US access and the ability to defend the base, the administration aims to reassure military planners and partners in the Indo-Pacific while avoiding an outright rebuke of London’s diplomatic maneuvering.

Legal and diplomatic aspects of the Chagos matter remain complex. Mauritius has long contested British sovereignty, and international legal opinions in recent years have urged resolution of the dispute. The new bilateral agreement between the UK and other parties seeks to formalize elements of governance and rights, but Washington’s emphasis remains on operational continuity and security assurances.

For markets and defence observers, the episode underscores how geopolitical arrangements over remote territories can have outsized implications for alliance management and regional stability. The US insistence on maintaining its military prerogatives illustrates that strategic basing concerns will continue to shape diplomatic responses long after headline agreements are announced.