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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Kyriakos Petrakos

Trump waters down criticism of UK’s Chagos Islands deal after call with Starmer

Donald Trump and Keir Starmer, both wearing suits and pointing at something in front of them, during Trump's state visit to the UK in September 2025
Donald Trump and Keir Starmer are said to have had a ‘very productive’ call on Friday, after which Trump appeared to again suggest his approval of the Chagos Islands deal. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

Donald Trump has watered down his criticism of the UK’s plan to hand the Chagos Islands back to Mauritius, saying the deal was the “best” Keir Starmer could make.

The US president had described ceding sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory, which includes the Diego Garcia military base, as an “act of great stupidity” only last month. He also claimed the deal was one of many “national security reasons” why the US should acquire Greenland.

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