...
By Shane Croucher and John Feng
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused President Donald Trump of going back on his support for the decision to hand sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, and said that the sharp criticism from the White House was linked to its pressure campaign over the Greenland dispute.
The Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean include Diego Garcia, which hosts a key U.S. military base in the region, sometimes used as a launchpad for operations in the Middle East. They are currently a British territory stemming from their colonial past, but Britain has agreed to a treaty—yet to be ratified by the U.K.—that hands sovereignty to Mauritius.
Read More: Donald Trump Finally Makes the Right Move on Greenland
Read More on World
"President Trump deployed words on Chagos yesterday that were different to his previous words of welcome and support when I met him in the White House," Starmer told the House of Commons on Wednesday during the weekly Prime Minister's Questions session.
"He deployed those words yesterday for the express purpose of putting pressure on me and Britain in relation to my values and principles on the future of Greenland. He wants me to yield on my position, and I'm not going to do so."
...
The U.S. had welcomed the U.K.'s deal with Mauritius in May 2025 and its handling of Diego Garcia, which remains operational under the agreement. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at the time that Trump had "expressed his support for this monumental achievement" during his meeting at the White House with Starmer.
But Trump said in a Tuesday post on Truth Social that the British deal to pass sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius was "an act of GREAT STUPIDITY".
"There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness," Trump said, adding that it underlined why the U.S. needed to acquire sovereignty over Greenland from its NATO ally Denmark, a strategically important Arctic island on the North American continent that he says is vital to his country's national security.
The U.S. president has threatened tariffs on European allies who oppose his moves to seize control of Greenland, including the U.K. European allies say the future of Greenland is a decision solely for the island and Denmark, objecting to Trump's pressure, including the threat of military action, and his upending of the rules-based global order.
The European Union is mulling a package of retaliatory measures if Trump follows through with his threat of Greenland tariffs, including their own levies on 93 billion euros ($107 billion) of U.S. goods.
The news cycle is loud. Algorithms push us to extremes. In the middle—where facts, ideas and progress live—there's a void. At Newsweek, we fill it with fearless, fair and fiercely independent journalism.
Common ground isn't just possible—it's essential. Our readers reflect America's diversity, united by a desire for thoughtful, unbiased news. Independent ratings confirm our approach: NewsGuard gives us 100/100 for reliability, and AllSides places us firmly in the political center.
In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. Ours is different: The Courageous Center—it's not "both sides," it's sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.
When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy:
Help keep the center courageous. Join today.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines