**The current trader consensus favoring "No" at 96.6% reflects the short window remaining before 2027, the absence of any announced US intent to pursue direct acquisition, and the Trump administration’s focus on securing continued access to the Diego Garcia base through adjustments to the stalled UK-Mauritius sovereignty agreement rather than a purchase.** Recent developments show the prior handover deal remains paused after Trump publicly criticized it as inadequate for US security interests, prompting UK officials to seek revised terms acceptable to Washington while Mauritius insists its sovereignty claim is non-negotiable. Reports from mid-2026 noted internal US consideration of a direct purchase option to bypass Britain, but this has not advanced to active negotiations or public signals. With only weeks left in 2026, no legislative, diplomatic, or executive steps toward an acquisition announcement have materialized. Realistic scenarios that could still shift odds include a sudden bilateral agreement with the UK or Mauritius to transfer limited territory for the base, or an unforeseen security development prompting rapid action, though both face substantial legal, fiscal, and alliance hurdles.