Trump Blasts UK: "Great Stupidity" Could Hand Key U.S. Base to China

President Donald Trump has sharply criticized a United Kingdom plan concerning the Chagos Islands, calling it "an act of great stupidity." His warning centers on the strategic Diego Garcia atoll, which hosts a major U.S. military base. The UK has agreed in principle to return control of the island chain, located in the Indian Ocean, to Mauritius. Trump fears the deal could allow China to gain influence. He suggested Beijing might pressure Mauritius for access to the strategically vital base. The facility on Diego Garcia is critical for U.S. operations in the Middle East and Asia. It has been used for bomber missions and intelligence gathering for decades. The UK Foreign Office has stated that the base will remain secure and operational under any future agreement. However, Trump's public condemnation highlights significant U.S. concern over the potential shift.