Trump blasts NATO ally, the UK, over Chagos Mauritius deal
US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hold a press conference after their meeting in Checkers near Aylesbury, Britain, on September 18, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
On the eve of his appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, US President Donald Trump took aim at another NATO ally, this time criticizing Britain.
The so-called “special relationship” between the US and Britain, and between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, appeared to be damaged on Tuesday after Trump issued a tirade against London’s decision to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
Among the islands is Diego Garcia, where a joint UK-US military base is located. The deal was this: Adopted May 2025I saw the British government I agree to cede sovereignty to Mauritius, but to lease the military base in Diego Garcia for £101 million ($135.7 million) annually.
white house announced his support for the agreement It was only on Tuesday last year that Trump said it was “an act of great stupidity.”
“Surprisingly, our ‘brilliant’ NATO Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give the Diego Garcia Island, where a vital US Military Base is located, to Mauritius, and it is planning to do so WITHOUT ANY REASON.” Trump shared on the social media platform Truth Social Early on Tuesday.
The president said China and Russia would view this action as “complete weakness” and that they were international powers that recognized only power.
“The UK donating hugely important land is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY and a long list of National Security reasons why Greenland should be acquired.”
He added that Denmark and its European allies who opposed Trump’s takeover bid should “do the right thing”.
Rift among Allies
Trump’s comments come amid a growing dispute between the United States and its European NATO allies, including Britain and France, over the president’s relentless pursuit of Greenland, a Danish territory in the Arctic.
Although Greenland, Denmark and European leaders say the island is not for sale, Trump does not rule out using military force to seize the region if necessary. He also threatened eight European NATO allies with increased tariffs if they continued to block the takeover bid.
Britain became the second NATO ally to be harshly criticized by Trump in as many days; The president on Monday threatened to impose 200% tariffs on French wines and champagne after French President Emmanuel Macron rejected Trump’s rejection of a seat on the “Peace Board” for Gaza.
Britain has sought to calm tensions between the US and Europe, calling for cool-headed behavior and more discussions on Greenland.
At a press conference on Monday, Starmer said Britain highly valued its long-standing special relationship with the US, but only Greenland and Denmark could decide the island’s future.
People hold Greenlandic flags as they gather outside a US consulate protest against US President Donald Trump and his announcement of his intention to purchase Greenland on January 17, 2026 in Nuuk, Greenland.
Sean Gallup | Getty Images News | Getty Images
“The right way to approach an issue of this seriousness in Greenland is through a calm discussion between allies,” Starmer said at a press conference in Downing Street, the Prime Minister’s official residence. he said.
“But there is a principle here that cannot be set aside, because it underpins how stable and reliable international cooperation works, so any decisions regarding the future status of Greenland rest solely with the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark.” he added.
Starmer spoke to Trump on Sunday night and said he was wrong to threaten to impose new tariffs on NATO allies if they did not accept his demands to “buy” Greenland.
Starmer and Trump have always seemed to have a warm and respectful relationship, despite their political differences.
Britain became the first country to strike a trade deal with Washington last year; This was largely due to Trump’s apparent warmth towards the country. The US president reveled in pomp and pageantry during a state visit to Britain last fall.
