Donald Trump brands Chagos surrender 'terrible deal' to PM's face in withering assessment

You are about to be charged £0.00* *Your gift has been applied Thank you for subscribing! Donald Trump brands Chagos surrender 'terrible deal' to PM's face in withering assessment Mr Trump also jabbed that Britain was still 'waiting for good leadership' in an apparent swipe at Labour The fearless champion of Britain, its voices and its values. Join the fight for free speech and fearless journalism. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Community Rules. Don't Miss Most Read Latest Donald Trump has told Andy Burnham the Chagos Islands deal is "terrible" in the latest withering assessment of the giveaway from the US. Speaking at a press conference following a bilateral meeting, the President confirmed outright he did not back the "surrender" - to Mr Burnham's face. "I don't support it," he said. "Most of them say they have ownership. Somebody has ownership that never showed up before after decades and centuries. I think it's ridiculous." He added: "It's strategically very important. Very important. We had to send our B2 bombers when we bombed the Iran nuclear [sites], we had to send the B2 bombers back home to Missouri, as opposed to flying for a short period of time. "They had to fly for a long period of time. It's amazing how strategic it is, and I think the Prime Minister is going to be looking at it." Mr Burnham, speaking to reporters after the sit-down, appeared to blame Sir Keir Starmer for the issue. "I inherited this situation and we need a resolution. It's critical to safeguard the future of the base," he said. Mr Burnham added that Britain would "work hard" to find a solution to the row. Last night, The Telegraph revealed that Nigel Farage repeatedly lobbied the US over the deal over the last week. Sources close to the Reform UK leader told the newspaper his "high-level" talks with the White House had "paid off" after Mr Burnham was forced to review the deal. Donald Trump has told Andy Burnham the Chagos Islands deal is 'terrible' in the latest withering assessment of the giveaway from the US |REUTERS Last May, Sir Keir Starmer settled a deal to give up the British territory despite the Chagossians' impassioned campaign to bring the "surrender" to a halt. But earlier this year, Mr Trump condemned it as an "act of great stupidity" in an extraordinary outburst. The islands are home to the strategically vital joint US-UK Diego Garcia military base. Sir Keir's deal would hand the islands to Mauritius while spending £101million per year for 99 years to lease back the military base from the Indian and Chinese ally. The staggering costs would put the total price tag at £34billion in nominal terms - while opponents of the deal have suggested it could cost closer to £50billion. The deal cannot go ahead unless the Americans agree to amend a 1966 treaty which grants the US and UK joint military use of the islands. CHAGOS 'SURRENDER' - READ MORE: Last May, Sir Keir Starmer settled a deal to give up the British territory | GETTYIn its current state, the UK risks breaking international law. Mauritian sources previously revealed they have been plotting to use the UN summit to push Mr Burnham to commit to the agreement. Back in May, the country's Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam threatened to sue the UK if the deal was not upheld, confirming his Government was "exploring legal avenues in the Chagos case". The "surrender", and Labour's refusal to pitch in with the war in Iran, sparked a rift between Mr Trump and Sir Keir that never healed. Though Mr Burnham said on Tuesday that he and the US President had found a "good connection" early on in their working relationship. He said: "We have established a good connection in our early discussions and we've taken that further today." The Chagos deal and Labour's refusal to pitch in with the war in Iran sparked a rift between Mr Trump and Sir Keir that never healed | GETTYWhile in a more ringing endorsement of the "special relationship", Mr Trump said the UK had "great patriotism" and is "waiting for success". Though in a swipe at Labour, he jabbed that Britain was still "waiting for good leadership". "I think there's a tremendous patriotism in Britain," he said. "They want to see great things happen. Tremendous potential. I mean, I see some countries, and I'm with the leaders, and I don't say it, but I don't see a lot of potential. That they've got a tough road to go. "This is a country with great patriots. They love the country. "People love the country as much as any other country I can think of, and I think it's just waiting for success, waiting for good leadership, waiting for success."