The British government has shelved legislation to ratify a controversial deal handing sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, following renewed opposition from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Late Friday, officials confirmed the bill would not appear in the upcoming King's Speech in mid-May, effectively pausing the process ahead of Parliament's prorogation. A government spokesperson emphasized that Diego Garcia, the archipelago's largest island hosting a joint UK-U.S. military base, remains the priority. "We continue to believe the agreement is the best way to protect the long-term future of the base, but we have always said we would only proceed with the deal if it has US support," the spokesperson said. The UK plans to keep engaging Washington and Mauritius.

Trump branded the deal "an act of great stupidity" in recent statements, urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer not to give away Diego Garcia. His criticism came hours after the U.S. government expressed support, highlighting tensions in transatlantic relations. The base on Diego Garcia is a vital strategic asset for operations in the Indian Ocean and beyond.

The agreement, signed in May 2025, would have transferred sovereignty to Mauritius while granting the UK a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia at an annual cost of about £101 million, totaling around £35 billion according to critics. It stemmed from a 2019 International Court of Justice advisory opinion declaring the UK's administration unlawful.

Trump's stance has shifted multiple times. He initially praised the deal but criticized it in January 2026 on Truth Social, calling it "an act of GREAT STUPIDITY" and linking it to his interest in acquiring Greenland. "Shockingly, our ‘brilliant’ NATO Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia... to Mauritius, and to do so FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER," he wrote. Further posts in February labeled it "a big mistake" and "act of total weakness."

Opposition leaders welcomed the decision. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch called it a victory, stating, "That it took so long is another damning indictment of a prime minister, who fought to hand over British sovereign territory and pay £35 billion to use a crucial military base which was already ours." She added the deal's "rightful place" is "on the ash heap of history." Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described it as "great news and long overdue," calling for Chagossian resettlement. Liberal Democrat spokesman Calum Miller criticized the handling as "shambolic."

The move follows earlier pauses and denials. In February, a minister told Parliament the UK was "pausing" ratification, though the government quickly clarified there was no pause. No formal U.S. exchange of letters approving the treaty had been received. Mauritius has not publicly reacted to the latest development.