UK says it ‘will never compromise on national security’ after Trump calls Chagos deal ‘act of great stupidity’ – UK politics live

The Guardian - World NewsEN 1 min read 100% complete by Andrew SparrowJanuary 20, 2026 at 11:51 AM

AI Summary

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Following Donald Trump's criticism of the UK's Chagos Islands agreement as an "act of great stupidity," the UK government has affirmed it will not compromise on national security. The government emphasized that the deal was previously welcomed by the US. A former Labour foreign secretary, Jack Straw, praised Keir Starmer's approach to handling Trump, advocating for diplomacy over confrontation. Straw highlighted Starmer's success in securing favorable tariff deals compared to the EU. The treaty with Mauritius has been signed and cannot be reversed, despite Trump's recent comments.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Mauritius 40% European Union 50% United States 60% Jack Straw ×270% Keir Starmer ×580% United Kingdom 80% Donald Trump ×690%

Keywords

donald trump 90% uk national security 80% chagos deal 80% keir starmer 70% treaty 70% uk politics 60% diplomacy 60% international relations 50% tariffs 40%