Trump Supports Chagos Sell Off?

Trump backed a British deal to sell off the Chagos Islands. They were originally separated from Mauritius in 1965. The base of Diego Garcia is used by the British and American military. Keir Starmer wants to sell the island back to Mauritius but this comes with a proviso. The military base will continue to be used by the US and the UK.

Mauritius has always wanted the island back. With Donald Trump's blessing, the British plan of selling the Chagos islands back to Mauritius will probably come about. The US Secretary of State has expressed concerns about this deal. Marco Rubio said the plan might endanger US interests in the area.

When Trump met Starmer yesterday it was expected Trump would poo poo the idea. Conversely, however, the opposite happened. Trump turned round and endorsed the idea. This was a clear victory for Sir Keir and Foreign Secretary, David Lammy.

Back home Tory ministers were angry at Trump's apparent about-face. Robert Jenrick and Rupert Lowe hoped that Trump would change his mind. However, it is unlikely given that Trump has now backed the plan. However, given Trump's inconsistency in his statements, you cannot tell.

Like when he called Vlodymir Zelenskyy a "Dictator". Yesterday, he appeared to have a Biden moment questioning himself over the statement, "Did I say that"? Trump is lying or had a senior moment? Given that Trump is 78, a senior moment is possible. At the same time, Trump did appear evasive on some issues.

Trump has entertained Netanyahu, Macron, and yesterday, Sir Keir since he took over as POTUS. Trump called Zelenskyy a dictator, and he did despite his denial!

Despite this, Zelenskyy is seeing the US President. A deal is near, over rare earth minerals, that the US needs. So Zelenskyy is off to see the "orange one" to sign this deal?

Trump appeared to shut out Zelenskyy in his talks with the Russians over a possible peace deal. However, Trump, like his Chagos about-face, seems to have changed his mind about shutting out Zelenskyy.

Trump and Zelenskyy will chat about any peace deal with Russia. So Zelenskyy would appear to have been brought in from the cold. And, rightly so, the war has been fought on Ukrainian land. So, the Ukrainians should be involved in any peace deal.

Now that Zelenskyy has agreed (in principle) to the raw earth deal, Trump will welcome the Ukrainian President to Washington. Trump's mindset has to be factored in here. Trump is a businessman, when he agrees to something, he gets something out of it. Trump is not a man, who will do nothing for nothing - that's it, plain and simple, no ifs and no buts! Central to anything Trump does is the business ethos.

So what can be said about Trump and Starmer's meeting? Did it go well? Was there a warmness like there has been between past British and American leaders? The talks went well and both leaders appeared to get on.

There was a lot of joking and camaraderie between the US President and UK Prime Minister. King Charles sent a letter with the prime minister to be given to the president. Inviting Trump on a second state visit. This is a record for a US leader.

A Mauritian government spokesman over the Chagos islands expressed doubt. This spokesman said Mauritius would not be sending a delegation to Washington yet. Mauritius appears to have misgivings over Trump endorsing the deal. However, for now, Mauritius will sit back and see what happens. Whether the plan now goes ahead, as expected, will be down to all participants.

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