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.
Politics latest: PM admits cost of living crisis ‘ongoing’
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.”
Follow our channel and never miss an update
The distinct lack of fanfare surely gives us a glimpse into the delicate situation that the government is dealing with in Washington.
Democrat Cory Booker rails against Donald Trump and Elon Musk during marathon Senate speech lasting more than 17 hours
Sir Keir Starmer says US-UK trade talks ‘well advanced’ and rejects ‘knee-jerk’ response to Donald Trump tariffs
Trump trade war: Why a figure of 48% is important as escalation nears
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.
Read more on Sky News:
Private school VAT has had ‘damaging effect’ on children
Payouts for departing civil servants capped at £95,000
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.
