Burnham to Review Chagos Deal After Trump Calls It 'Terrible'
Andy Burnham has said Britain will work hard on the Chagos Islands agreement after Donald Trump criticised the handover as 'terrible' and 'ridiculous' during their first meeting at the UN General Assembly.
Andy Burnham has said Britain will work hard to resolve the future of the Chagos Islands agreement after Donald Trump branded the handover deal «terrible» and «ridiculous» during the two leaders' first face-to-face meeting in New York.
The US president made the remarks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, where he also said the UK-US relationship was «more up» than it had been under Sir Keir Starmer. Trump described the planned transfer of sovereignty over the Chagos Islands — home to the strategically vital Diego Garcia military base — as a «very important piece of real estate» and said the move to hand it to Mauritius was a mistake.
Speaking after the meeting, Burnham said his government would «work hard» on the Chagos deal and confirmed that the agreement would be reviewed. Trump said the prime minister would be «looking at it», suggesting the US president expects London to reconsider the terms of the arrangement.
The exchange marks a significant moment in the early tenure of Burnham as prime minister, who took office after succeeding Starmer. Trump's warm words for Burnham — calling him a «great PM» — contrasted with his jibe at Starmer, underscoring a shift in the personal dynamic between Washington and London.
The Chagos Islands agreement, under which the UK would cede sovereignty over the archipelago to Mauritius while retaining a long-term lease on Diego Garcia, has been a subject of intense diplomatic negotiation. The deal was designed to secure the future of the joint UK-US military facility, which plays a central role in American and British operations across the Indian Ocean and beyond.
Trump's criticism raises fresh questions about whether the agreement can proceed in its current form. The US president's comments suggest Washington may seek changes to the terms, particularly around the security of the base and the financial arrangements attached to the lease.
For Burnham, the meeting offered an opportunity to establish a working relationship with Trump while managing a delicate diplomatic file. His decision to review the deal signals that London is prepared to listen to American concerns, even as it seeks to finalise an agreement that has been years in the making.
The Chagos handover has been controversial in British politics, with critics arguing that it weakens the UK's strategic position and hands leverage to Mauritius and potentially to China. Supporters say it resolves a long-standing colonial dispute and secures the future of Diego Garcia through a legally binding lease.
Trump's intervention is likely to intensify debate in Westminster. The prime minister's review could delay the deal's implementation or lead to renegotiation, with implications for the UK's relationship with Mauritius and other Indian Ocean states.
The meeting in New York also served as a broader reset in UK-US relations. Trump's remark that ties were «more up» than under Starmer suggests the White House sees Burnham as a more amenable partner, though the Chagos dispute could test that goodwill.
Burnham's government has not set out a timetable for the review. Officials indicated that Britain will continue to engage with the US and Mauritius to find a resolution that protects the Diego Garcia base and respects the interests of all parties.
The Chagos Islands have been at the centre of international legal and diplomatic battles for decades. The UK has faced pressure from the United Nations and international courts to return the archipelago to Mauritius, while insisting that the military base must remain secure.
Trump's comments add a new layer of uncertainty to an already complex negotiation. With the US president publicly questioning the deal, Burnham must now balance domestic political pressures, alliance management, and the strategic requirements of the Diego Garcia facility.
The outcome of the review will be closely watched in Washington, Port Louis, and among Chagossian communities displaced from the islands. For now, the prime minister has signalled a willingness to engage with Trump's concerns, while insisting that Britain will work hard to find a resolution.
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