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Trump accuses UK PM Starmer of 'big mistake' on Diego Garcia air base deal
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 19, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 19, 2026
Quick Summary
Trump attacks Starmer’s Chagos deal, warning the Diego Garcia lease is a “big mistake.” The UK hands sovereignty to Mauritius but retains the base under a 99-year agreement backed by Washington.
Trump says UK's Starmer is making a 'big mistake' on Diego Garcia lease
WASHINGTON/LONDON, Feb 18 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was making a big mistake by entering into a lease on the Indian Ocean Chagos archipelago that hosts the U.S.-UK Diego Garcia air base.
Under a 2025 agreement, Britain will transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining control of the strategically important Diego Garcia base under a 99-year lease.
"DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social, saying the base could be called upon in any future military operation to "eradicate a potential attack" from Iran.
"I have been telling Prime Minister Keir Starmer, of the United Kingdom, that Leases are no good when it comes to Countries, and that he is making a big mistake by entering a 100 Year Lease with whoever it is that is 'claiming' Right, Title, and Interest to Diego Garcia," he added.
Responding to Trump's latest remarks, a British foreign office spokesperson said the deal was "crucial to the security of the UK and our key allies".
"The agreement we have reached is the only way to guarantee the long-term future of this vital military base," the statement added.
Trump's comments mark the latest in an Anglo-American diplomatic rollercoaster over the deal.
Britain has said it had no choice but to make a deal after international court decisions threatened its ability to maintain the base under previous arrangements.
Washington last year gave its blessing to the agreement, but in January Trump described it as an act of "great stupidity". Earlier in February he then said he understood the deal was the best Starmer could make, but added he would retain the right to "militarily secure" the base if needed.
On Tuesday the U.S. State Department had issued a statement which stated its backing for the deal.
"The United States supports the decision of the United Kingdom to proceed with its agreement with Mauritius concerning the Chagos archipelago," the statement said, announcing talks between the U.S. and Mauritius next week.
(Reporting by Bhargav Acharya, Ryan Patrick Jones and Chandni Shah; writing by William James; editing by Costas Pitas and Stephen Coates)
Key Takeaways
- •Trump calls the Diego Garcia lease a 'big mistake' in a Truth Social post.
- •The UK will transfer Chagos sovereignty to Mauritius while keeping the base under a 99-year lease.
- •The UK Foreign Office says the agreement safeguards UK and allied security interests.
- •Washington has publicly backed the deal even as Trump voices fresh criticism.
- •U.S.–Mauritius talks were announced to discuss the agreement's next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions about Trump accuses UK PM Starmer of 'big mistake' on Diego Garcia air base deal
1What is a 99-year lease?
A 99-year lease is a long-term rental agreement granting use and control of property or land for 99 years without transferring ownership. It sets obligations such as permitted uses, maintenance, and payments, and often includes options to extend or renegotiate at expiry.
2What is a sovereignty transfer?
A sovereignty transfer is the formal handover of ultimate authority over a territory from one state to another. It changes who holds legal control and responsibility, while separate agreements may define continued access, administration, or leasing of specific sites.
3What is a military base lease?
A military base lease is an agreement allowing one country to use land or facilities in another country for defense purposes. It defines duration, operational control, access, costs, and restrictions, ensuring the host’s sovereignty while enabling agreed military activities.