UK to press on with Chagos deal despite Trump 'great stupidity' comments

This came not long after he and his Secretary of State Marco Rubio backed the Government’s proposal, with the White House previously describing it as a “monumental agreement”.

Downing Street has said that the sale is essential to comply with international law and keep the military base, and “categorically” insisted that the deal is going ahead.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesperson claimed that the US still supported the agreement, which is intended to provide a firm legal basis for the operation of the strategically important Diego Garcia facility.

Ministers said the deal is necessary because international court rulings in favour of Mauritian claims to sovereignty had threatened the future of the base.

Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform in the early hours of yesterday morning: “Shockingly, our ‘brilliant’ NATO Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia, the site of a vital U.S. Military Base, to Mauritius, and to do so FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER.

“There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness.”

He highlighted the decision as a reason for his continued pursuit of Greenland, which is a semi-autonomous part of Denmark.

“The UK giving away extremely important land is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY, and is another in a very long line of National Security reasons why Greenland has to be acquired,” he added.

Mr Trump’s criticism of the Chagos deal came as legislation to finalise the agreement is caught in a wrangle between the Lords and the Commons.

It caught No 10 off guard as Mr Trump had previously welcomed the agreement with Mauritius, which the US viewed as securing the long-term future of the Diego Garcia facility.

It comes as foreign affairs is continually dominating the UK’s political agenda, with Sir Keir Starmer desperate to focus his attention on tackling the cost of living crisis.

Mr Trump offered Sir Keir a place as an executive member on his Gaza “Board for Peace”.

Reports have suggested that Vladimir Putin and Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko have also been offered positions.

No10 did not deny Mr Trump was charging $1bn to be a member, and Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones said it was “absurd” for the Russian President to sit on a board dedicated to Peace.

The US President has also not ruled out taking Greenland by force, and has threatened to hit the UK and other European allies with 10 per cent tariffs from February 1 unless they agree to his purchase of the semi-autonomous Danish territory.

The impacts of a possible trade war were laid out yesterday as Sir Keir Starmer led a Cabinet discussion about the crisis, while Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey warned the tensions would have consequences for global financial stability.

At the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “I would just urge people to keep cool heads. That’s what we did all through last year and it actually served us pretty well.”

Amid the talk of Greenland, Defence Secretary John Healey is set to travel to Denmark and hold talks on Arctic security, counter-drone technology and Ukraine.

He said: “In this new era of threat, now is the era of hard power, sure diplomacy and strong alliances. As joint expeditionary force partners and Nato allies, Denmark and the UK are stepping up on European security.

“The UK has always played a leading role in securing Nato’s northern flank in the Baltic and High North, and we will continue to do so alongside our allies.”