Donald Trump's 'stupidity' comment leaves Chagos deal in tatters as UK shelves plan

Donald Trump's 'stupidity' comment leaves Chagos deal in tatters as UK shelves planHealth Secretary Wes Streeting admitted there has been 'a shift in position in Washington' after Donald Trump's administration initially agreed to the Chagos dealCommentsNewsSophie Huskisson Political Correspondent12:19, 12 Apr 2026Updated 12:21, 12 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesDonald Trump previously backed the deal, but changed his mind(Image: AP)A senior minister has said the UK is trying to “resolve” issues with Donald Trump over the Chagos Islands deal.‌Health Secretary Wes Streeting admitted there has been “a shift in position in Washington” after the US initially agreed to the deal.‌Mr Trump previously backed the deal, but changed his mind in January, calling a deal to transfer sovereignty of the islands “an act of GREAT STUPIDITY” in a social media post.‌The UK has now shelved the plans, given a lack of formal approval from the US and time running out for the legislation to be completed before the parliamentary session ends in the coming weeks.A new Chagos bill is not expected to feature in the King's Speech next month. Officials insist the deal hasn't been entirely abandoned.READ MORE: UK hands over remote Indian Ocean islands after decades-long battleView 2 ImagesThe Chagos Islands is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom located in the Indian Ocean(Image: Pictures From History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)‌Asked if the Chagos deal was “dead”, Mr Streeting on Sunday morning said: “No, look, t he United States is going through its own process at the moment, and, it is fair to say there has been a shift in position in Washington."We've been clear throughout that the objective is to make sure we secure the Chagos Islands for the long term in British and American interests."I think there are lots of people in the US administration who understand what we're trying to achieve, who support that objective. We'...