Trump isn’t going to be pushed around. Especially from tiny countries.
And now Donald Trump aimed his crosshairs at this island nation.
Trump’s Warning on Diego Garcia Security
In a February 5, 2026, post on Truth Social, President Trump outlined his position after “very productive discussions” with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding the future of Diego Garcia.
He described the joint U.S.-UK military installation as “strategically situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean and, therefore, of great importance to the national security of the United States.”
Trump stated: “However, if the lease deal, sometime in the future, ever falls apart, or anyone threatens or endangers U.S. operations and forces at our base, I retain the right to militarily secure and reinforce the American presence in Diego Garcia.”
He added: “Let it be known that I will never allow our presence on a base as important as this to ever be undermined or threatened by fake claims or environmental nonsense.”
This follows Trump’s earlier January 2026 criticism of the deal as an “act of great stupidity” and “act of total weakness” by the UK.
Details of the UK-Mauritius Agreement
The 2025 agreement between the UK and Mauritius transfers sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago (also known as the British Indian Ocean Territory) to Mauritius, while granting the UK a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia—the largest island—with an option to extend for another 50 years.
This arrangement aims to preserve operations at the joint U.S.-UK base, which hosts around 2,500 personnel and serves as a critical hub for long-range bombers, logistics, intelligence, and military communications supporting operations across the Middle East, Indo-Pacific, and Africa.
The deal includes significant financial commitments from the UK, with projections of roughly £35 billion (about $47 billion) in payments over the century, including annual sums and compensation to Mauritius.
Strategic Value and Diplomatic Developments
Diego Garcia has long been a cornerstone of U.S. power projection, originally leased from the UK in 1966 and used in major operations including those in Afghanistan and Yemen.
The base’s remote location provides unmatched advantages for regional security and deterrence.
Downing Street confirmed the leaders’ recent call, noting agreement on the base’s strategic importance and a commitment to “continue working closely to guarantee the future operation of the base.”
A No. 10 spokeswoman stated: “the leaders recognized its strategic importance. The leaders agreed their governments would continue working closely to guarantee the future operation of the base and speak again soon.”
Trump’s measured endorsement described the arrangement as “the best deal [Starmer] could make,” signaling a path forward through close U.S.-UK cooperation while underscoring America’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its national security assets abroad.
