Donald Trump has dragged the Chagos Islands into his latest foreign policy row, claiming the UK’s decision to hand the territory to Mauritius is one of the reasons he believes the United States must “acquire” Greenland.
The US president made the remarks during a late-night social media outburst as he travelled to Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum, escalating his rhetoric around global security, Nato allies, and strategic military land.
What did Donald Trump actually say about the Chagos Islands?
In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump directly criticised the UK government’s plan to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, calling it an act of “great stupidity”.
Donald Trump, Truth Social: “Shockingly, our ‘brilliant’ Nato Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia, the site of a vital US Military Base, to Mauritius, and to do so FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER.”
Trump is on a roll tonight.
Shockingly, our “brilliant” NATO Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia, the site of a vital U.S. Military Base, to Mauritius, and to do so FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER.
There is no doubt that China… pic.twitter.com/xcJ1RvyYWO
— PNW Thistle (@PNWthistle) January 20, 2026
Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos archipelago, hosts a joint UK–US military base that plays a major role in operations across the Middle East, Africa, and the Indo-Pacific.
Mr Trump went on to suggest that the move signals weakness to global rivals.
Donald Trump: “There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness. These are International Powers who only recognise STRENGTH.”
Why are the Chagos Islands so important to the UK and the US?
The Chagos Islands, located in the Indian Ocean, have long been one of the UK’s most sensitive overseas territories.
Key facts at a glance:
- Population removed: Around 1,500 Chagossians forcibly displaced between the 1960s and 1970s
- Military use: Diego Garcia hosts one of the US’s most strategic overseas bases
- Legal pressure: The International Court of Justice advisory opinion in 2019 said UK control was unlawful
- Current plan: UK to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius while retaining long-term base access
Successive UK governments have faced mounting legal and diplomatic pressure to resolve the issue, particularly after UN votes and international court rulings backed Mauritius’ claim.
Is the UK really “giving away” Diego Garcia?
UK ministers have repeatedly said the deal would protect the military base, not dismantle it.
The proposed agreement would:
- Transfer sovereignty to Mauritius
- Allow the UK and US to lease Diego Garcia long-term
- Secure continued military operations under international law
Government sources have argued this approach strengthens, rather than weakens, Britain’s legal position and protects defence interests for decades.
Why is Trump linking the Chagos Islands to Greenland?
Mr Trump appears to be using the Chagos Islands as a wider example of what he sees as Nato allies failing to protect strategic land.
In the same posts, he argued that such decisions justify America taking a more aggressive stance over Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory rich in rare minerals and Arctic military value.
Donald Trump: “The UK giving away extremely important land is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY, and is another in a very long line of National Security reasons why Greenland has to be acquired.”
This revives a long-running Trump-era idea first floated in 2019, which was firmly rejected by Denmark at the time.
How has the UK responded so far?
As of now, Downing Street has not responded directly to Mr Trump’s comments.
UK officials have previously stressed that:
- The Chagos deal is about ending decades of legal dispute
- National security arrangements remain intact
- The US has been kept fully informed throughout negotiations
Privately, diplomatic sources suggest frustration that the issue is being used in US domestic political messaging.
