Trump put Britain in its place: London backed down on controversial deal

The UK government is reviewing the agreement to transfer the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius following public criticism from US President Donald Trump. Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed readiness to renegotiate the deal. The strategically important Diego Garcia base is at stake.

The UK government has decided to review the agreement to transfer the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius after pressure from US President Donald Trump. The issue was discussed during the first in-person meeting between Trump and Prime Minister Andy Burnham on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Trump publicly called the existing arrangements a "terrible deal" and said he expects them to be renegotiated. Burnham in response confirmed the British government's readiness to revisit the agreement. The matter concerns the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, where Diego Garcia is located—a strategically important facility used by the US and UK armed forces. The original plan involved transferring sovereignty over the archipelago to Mauritius, with London leasing Diego Garcia for 99 years with an option to renew. For the use of the base, the UK was to pay Mauritius at least £120 million annually. UK Defense Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed to the BBC that Trump's recent statements demonstrated the White House's unchanged position. The dispute over the archipelago has been ongoing for decades: in 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled that the UK must end its administration of the archipelago.