Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Sir Keir Starmer needed to “straighten out” the UK, claiming London had “a lot of problems,” and made similar remarks about French President Emmanuel Macron.
He singled out the UK’s £30 billion Chagos Islands deal with Mauritius, despite having previously approved a £3.4 billion lease arrangement, saying he opposed turning ownership into a lease and sale.
Trump argued the islands were strategically important and questioned why Britain would give them up, suggesting “maybe they’re short of money.”
He linked the decision to wider national security concerns, claiming it strengthened the case for his interest in acquiring Greenland. The row escalated after Trump branded the deal an “act of great stupidity,” warning that China and Russia would exploit the move.
Downing Street played down the dispute, with ministers suggesting Trump was venting frustration over opposition to his Greenland ambitions rather than focusing on Chagos.
Despite criticism from US officials, Conservatives, and security figures, the UK government said the deal would proceed and ordered Labour MPs to push the legislation through Parliament.
Chagos Islands
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