Number 10's downplaying of its Chagos win is a sign of Donald Trump's unpredictability

1 April 2025, 16:14 | Updated: 1 April 2025, 18:04

Getting Donald Trump to sign off the Chagos Islands deal is a big win for Number 10 and a vindication of Sir Keir Starmer's softly, softly approach to the unpredictable president. 

So, why is this significant step forward being downplayed by government officials?

Getting the prime minister's spokesperson to confirm their achievement became a guessing game that began in the morning and carried on into the afternoon, as journalists attempted to read between the lines of the carefully crafted statement.

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Asked repeatedly if President Trump had rubber-stamped the plan to hand back Chagos - including the UK-US military base Diaego Garcia - to Mauritius, the same limited response came back.

"We are working with the Mauritian government to finalise the deal and will put it before parliament when it's done."

The distinct lack of fanfare surely gives us a glimpse into the delicate situation that the government is dealing with in Washington.

The calm approach on the surface belies a tension beneath, within which normal diplomatic rules are suspended and things could change drastically with no warning.

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It may be that in the middle of negotiations over tariffs and other areas of trade, celebrating wins for the UK is deemed imprudent.

It may also be that the president's decisions can be overturned on a whim without warning or explanation.

Whatever the reason, it's clear that Washington's boldness and swagger is being met with the opposite strategy here - take the wins where you can but don't celebrate if you want to hang on to them.

(c) Sky News 2025: Number 10's downplaying of its Chagos win is a sign of Donald Trump's unpredictability