Speaking to reporters on a trip to China, Keir Starmer said renewed talks on the agreement — which sees Britain cede sovereignty of the islands housing U.S. military base Diego Garcia to Mauritius — were now underway with Washington D.C.Carl Court/Getty Images

Starmer defends Trump-enraging Chagos Islands deal – POLITICO

by · POLITICO

BEIJING, China — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday rejected U.S. criticism of his government’s deal to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands — pointing out that key members of Donald Trump’s administration openly backed it just months ago.

Speaking to reporters on a trip to China, Starmer said renewed talks on the agreement — which sees Britain cede sovereignty of the islands housing U.S. military base Diego Garcia to Mauritius — were now underway with Washington D.C.

But the British PM highlighted “very clear” previous statements of support for the deal by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.