Donald Trump Criticizes UK Over Chagos Islands Amid Growing U.S.-China Military Rivalry

Washington/Islamabad, January 24, 2026: U.S. President Donald Trump has openly criticized the United Kingdom’s decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, calling it a “foolish decision.” The remote islands in the Indian Ocean host a key U.S. military base, and Trump’s intervention signals Washington’s growing concerns about China’s strategic moves in the region.

The Chagos dispute comes at a time when China is aggressively expanding its influence across the South Pacific, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean. Beijing is using economic investment, infrastructure projects, and cultural diplomacy to win influence, which U.S. analysts fear could pave the way for future Chinese military bases.

U.S.-China Military Base Race
While the United States currently operates the world’s largest network of overseas military bases—more than 750 sites across 70 countries, including Japan, South Korea, Germany, Italy, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and strategic locations like Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean—China’s network is far smaller. Beijing officially maintains only one foreign military base, in Djibouti (Africa), but is alleged to be developing or planning dual-use ports and airfields in Cambodia, Pakistan’s Gwadar, Sri Lanka’s Hambantota, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.

Despite Beijing’s denials, U.S. officials remain wary. According to analysts, China often begins with economic or infrastructure projects, later converting them for military or dual-use purposes. Incidents like Chinese naval ships approaching Guam last year were labeled a “strategic threat” by the Pentagon, illustrating the scale of U.S. concerns.

Chagos Islands: Strategic Concerns for the U.S.
The U.K.’s decision to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has intensified Washington’s apprehensions. Experts warn that Chinese investment in Mauritius could allow Beijing to establish a foothold on the islands in the future, potentially displacing the U.S. military presence and threatening American strategic interests in the Indian Ocean.

Trump’s criticism underscores U.S. anxiety over China’s long-term strategy, which combines diplomacy, infrastructure investment, and covert arrangements to secure overseas bases. Analysts note that if Beijing succeeds, it could dramatically shift the balance of power in key maritime regions.

In this context, the Chagos Islands are not just a diplomatic issue but a flashpoint in the ongoing global contest for military influence between the U.S. and China.