Trump weighs buying Chagos Islands from Mauritius after Greenland fiasco
WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump has added another pair of islands to his wishlist. After floating the controversial idea of bringing Greenland under US control, the White House is now weighing a plan to buy the Chagos Islands from Mauritius.
The reported proposal comes amid delays in British legislation intended to finalize the transfer of the territory to Mauritius, following the withdrawal of US support earlier this year.
The president called the treaty organizing the cessation of territory “an act of GREAT STUPIDITY” at the time.
White House would sidestep UK officials to purchase the island
As Trump decides on further steps regarding the Chagos Islands, a group of dozens of islands in the Indian Ocean, the plan to purchase them is one of several proposals being considered by the US.
Multiple sources familiar with the matter told the Telegraph that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent directly brought the idea to the president; however, it was reportedly not Trump’s “leading” option at this time.
Under the reported proposal, the Trump administration would bypass British authorities and acquire the islands directly, securing control over the strategically important US-UK military base on Diego Garcia.
However, to secure this deal successfully, the islands would first have to be made sovereign, allowing the US to negotiate its purchase with Mauritius directly
The proposed handover of the islands to Mauritius stalled in April when Washington pulled its backing for the deal.
However, not everyone in the Trump cabinet is in favour of the plan. Some officials in the Trump administration were concerned about giving the island to Mauritius, an ally of China, which would open up the possibility of espionage, the Telegraph reported.
Meanwhile, a US official told The Independent that the Trump administration believes it would be a mistake for the UK to “give away the British Indian Ocean Territory.”
“Diego Garcia’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean makes it a vital and indispensable military installation of significant importance to the national security of the United States,” the person said.
“We remain in regular discussions with our British allies as we work together to preserve the viability of Diego Garcia as a regional security platform,” the insider further chimed.
Trump’s plan to make 51st state
The proposed plan to acquire the Chagos Islands came as Trump repeatedly threatened to seize or annex several nations and territories, including Canada and Venezuela, which he has potentially claimed as 51st states.
Trump has issued similar warnings regarding Panama and Cuba, as US military assets increase operations in the Caribbean, targeting boats the administration alleges are being used to transport narcotics.
Last year, Trump initiated a months-long effort to spur interest in acquiring the territory of Greenland from Denmark. Vice President JD Vance was even dispatched to the Arctic to drum up support.
Trump repeatedly claimed that the US military interests required its acquisition, but those interests have since faded into the background.
