Biden Pressured the UK Into Signing Away Chagos Islands

The United States had a strong hand in Britain’s decision to cede the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, according to a report from the Telegraph.

Days after Britain’s election in July, senior U.S. officials reportedly threatened the incoming Labour Party that their “special relationship” with Washington would be jeopardized if they didn’t sign away the islands. The imminent U.S. elections on November 5 likely added to the urgency.

I applaud the historic agreement and conclusion of the negotiations. … We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Mauritius and the United Kingdom in upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific.
—Joe Biden, U.S. president

‘Treason’: Critics have called this a “shoddy and short-sighted deal” and “strategic disaster” that makes the United Kingdom look “pathetic.” Now that Britain is moving out, there are fears China will move in. Mauritius already has close ties to the Chinese government.

I want the Labour M.P.s to look in their consciences and to say whether or not they approve of surrendering British territory that we’ve had for the last 200 years that is a strategic national interest to a nation that is basically in hock to China. And the Labour M.P.s have to ask themselves that question. I think this is so serious, frankly, it borders on treason.
—Richard Tice, Reform Party deputy leader

Why the pressure: Why would the Biden administration put such pressure on the UK to surrender these islands? It is consistent with the pattern established by former President Barack Obama when Biden was vice president.

As Trumpet writer Josué Michels wrote, “If you carefully study Obama’s agenda, you will see a pattern of seeking to overthrow everything the British Empire has stood for. … Obama’s goal is to ‘remake the world,’ a world that was defined by American and British values.”

Learn more: Read “UK to Surrender One of Its Last Remaining Sea Gates: The Chagos Islands.”