Trump blasts NATO ally, the UK, over Chagos Mauritius deal

[ad_1] U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer maintain a press convention following their assembly at Chequers, close to Aylesbury, Britain, Sept. 18, 2025.

Kevin Lamarque | Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump has taken intention at one other NATO ally on the eve of his look at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, this time lambasting the U.Ok.

The so-called "special relationship" between the U.S. and U.Ok., and President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, was left trying bruised on Tuesday after Trump posted a tirade towards London's choice handy sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

The islands embrace Diego Garcia the place a joint U.Ok.-U.S. navy base is stationed. The deal, which was agreed in May 2025 , noticed the British authorities agree to hand sovereignty to Mauritius, however to lease the navy base on Diego Garcia for £101 million ($135.7 million) a yr.

The White Home voiced its support for the deal final yr however, on Tuesday, Trump mentioned it was "an act of nice stupidity."

"Shockingly, our "good" NATO Ally, the UK, is at present planning to provide away the Island of Diego Garcia, the location of an important U.S. Navy Base, to Mauritius, and to take action FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER," Trump posted on social media platform Truth Social early Tuesday.

The president mentioned China and Russia would view this act as one in every of "whole weak spot," and that they have been worldwide powers that solely acknowledged energy.

"The U.Ok. gifting away extraordinarily essential land is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY, and is one other in a really lengthy line of Nationwide Safety the reason why Greenland must be acquired."

He added that Denmark and its European allies, who oppose Trump's takeover bid, needed to "do the suitable factor."

Responding to Trump's feedback, a U.Ok. authorities spokesman mentioned Tuesday that "the U.Ok. won't ever compromise on our nationwide safety."

"We acted as a result of the bottom on Diego Garcia was beneath risk after court docket selections undermined our place and would have prevented it working as meant in future," he added, in line with feedback revealed by BBC Information.

Rift amongst allies Trump's feedback come amid a rising rift between the U.S. and its European NATO allies, together with the U.Ok. and France, over the president's incessant pursuit of Greenland, a Danish territory within the Arctic.

Greenland, Denmark, and European leaders have mentioned the island isn't on the market, however Trump has not dominated out utilizing navy drive to grab the territory if crucial. He has also threatened eight European NATO allies with escalating tariffs in the event that they proceed to dam his takeover bid.

The U.Ok. is the second NATO ally to be lambasted by Trump in as many days, with the president threatening to impose 200% tariffs on French wines and Champagne on Monday after French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly turned down a seat on Trump's "Board of Peace" for Gaza.

The U.Ok. has tried to defuse tensions between the U.S. and Europe, calling for cool heads and further discussions over Greenland.

In a press convention Monday, Starmer mentioned that Britain vastly values its long-standing particular relationship with the U.S., however that solely Greenland and Denmark can determine the island's future.

Folks bear Greenlandic flags as they collect in entrance of the U.S. consulate protest towards U.S. President Donald Trump and his introduced intent to accumulate Greenland on January 17, 2026 in Nuuk, Greenland.

Sean Gallup | Getty Photos Information | Getty Photos

"On Greenland, the suitable option to method a difficulty of this seriousness is thru calm dialogue between allies," Starmer mentioned at a press convention in Downing Road, the PM's official residence.

"However there's a precept right here that can not be put aside, as a result of it goes to the center of how steady and trusted worldwide cooperation works, so any choice concerning the future standing of Greenland belongs to the folks of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone," he added.

Starmer spoke to Trump on Sunday night time, telling him he was improper to threaten to impose fresh tariffs on NATO allies in the event that they did not conform to his calls for to "purchase" Greenland.

Starmer and Trump have at all times appeared to take pleasure in a heat and respectful relationship, regardless of their political variations.

The U.Ok. was the first country to strike a trade deal with Washington final yr, largely owing to Trump's obvious heat towards the nation. The U.S. president loved all of the pomp and pageantry the U.Ok. might muster during a state visit last fall .