In a surprising turn of events, former US President Donald Trump has abruptly reversed his stance on the UK’s deal to hand over the Chagos Islands, including the crucial Diego Garcia airbase, to Mauritius. This dramatic U-turn has left Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government stunned, as the plan had been painstakingly negotiated and secured with Trump’s blessing less than a year ago.
I was present in the Oval Office back in February 2022 when Starmer first discussed the Chagos deal with Trump. At the time, the US president had expressed his support, saying, “I have a feeling it is going to work out very well. I think we will be inclined to go along with your country.” This endorsement from Trump paved the way for Starmer to push the deal through, despite concerns from some of his own backbenchers and former Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
However, the tide has now turned, and Trump has suddenly labelled the plan as an “act of great stupidity.” This about-face has caught Downing Street off guard, as little has changed in the underlying circumstances since the initial agreement was reached.
The more likely explanation for Trump’s U-turn appears to be his growing obsession with the issue of Greenland. The former president now seems to understand that the same international law logic used to justify the Chagos handover to Mauritius could also be applied to Denmark’s ownership of Greenland – a territory Trump has long coveted for the United States.
This latest development raises concerns about the deteriorating relationship between Starmer and the capricious US president. Starmer had cultivated a reputation as the “Trump whisperer,” able to influence the former president on a range of issues, including securing a better trade deal for the UK compared to the EU. However, this latest episode suggests that Starmer’s ability to sway Trump may be waning, which could have significant implications for Britain’s foreign policy and its position on the global stage.
As the Chagos dispute continues to simmer, Starmer’s government will need to navigate these treacherous waters carefully, balancing the demands of international law, the concerns of the Chagossian people, and the unpredictable nature of the US administration. The prime minister’s recent show of support for Denmark in the face of Trump’s Greenland ambitions may have further strained the relationship, setting the stage for an increasingly hostile dynamic between London and Washington.
