US President-elect Donald Trump intends to block the agreement under which the United Kingdom transfers sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean to Mauritius, the media reported on Wednesday, citing sources.
Trump was reportedly briefed on the Chagos Islands by the UK and asked the presidential transition team to seek legal advice from the Pentagon.
According to the media, Trump indicated that, if elected, he would oppose the deal based on the country's defense ministry advice regarding global security.
The administration of current US President Joe Biden previously welcomed the agreement between Britain and Mauritius, which is expected to come into force next year after it is ratified by the British parliament.
The Chagos Archipelago had been the subject of dispute between the UK and Mauritius for decades. In 2019, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for the UK to relinquish control of the islands.