Trump's Tepid Backing for Starmer's Chagos Agreement
In a surprising turn of events, former US President Donald Trump has extended a measure of support to Sir Keir Starmer's contentious Chagos Islands deal, albeit with significant caveats. This development comes after weeks of fierce criticism from Trump and political opponents, offering a rare glimmer of respite for the Prime Minister amidst ongoing scandals.
A Conditional Endorsement from the Former President
Trump's comments, shared on his Truth Social platform, described the agreement as 'according to many, the best he could make'. This statement marks a notable shift from his previous characterisation of the deal as 'an act of great stupidity' and 'total weakness'. The Prime Minister's office confirmed that multiple phone discussions preceded this public stance, focusing on security assurances for the US military presence on Diego Garcia.
Underlying Threats and Political Implications
However, Trump's support is far from unconditional. He issued a stark warning, asserting that if the lease arrangement falters or US operations are jeopardised, America would not hesitate to deploy military force to secure Diego Garcia. This intimidating posture underscores the high stakes involved in the Chagos sovereignty transfer, which includes a 99-year leaseback for the joint UK-US base.
At Westminster, the political fallout continues unabated. Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, lambasted the agreement as a 'shameful Chagos surrender', vowing that the Conservative Party will persist in opposing it. The deal's legislative progress remains precarious, particularly in the House of Lords, where it faces determined resistance.
Environmental and Diplomatic Dimensions
Trump's statement also dismissed environmental concerns, referring to 'fake claims or environmental nonsense', despite Diego Garcia's status as a sanctuary for endangered species like red-footed boobies and rare turtles. This highlights the complex interplay between strategic military interests and ecological preservation in the Indian Ocean archipelago.
For Sir Keir Starmer, this grudging endorsement from Trump represents a modest victory in an otherwise tumultuous period, dominated by the Mandelson-Epstein scandal and internal party dissent. Yet, the volatile nature of Trump's positions—having initially backed, then criticised, and now partially supported the deal—leaves the Prime Minister in a precarious position, reliant on a fickle ally for political survival.
