Trump says US reviewing position on British-ruled Falkland Islands
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US President Donald Trump did not signal if the review would change America’s position on sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.
PHOTO: AFP
- President Trump said the US is reviewing its position on the Falkland Islands amid reports of possible opposition to British sovereignty if defence spending is not increased.
- The US officially recognises British administration but remains neutral on sovereignty claims between Britain and Argentina.
- Tensions persist decades after the 1982 war, with Argentina still claiming the islands and historical conflicts affecting relations today.
AI generated
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said on Aug 31 that the United States is reviewing its position on the Falkland Islands, after reports that Washington threatened to oppose Britain’s sovereignty if it does not increase defence spending.
The proposal concerning the South Atlantic archipelago, over which Britain and Argentina went to war in 1982, was among measures being drawn up by the Pentagon to incentivise NATO allies to meet spending pledges, the Daily Telegraph reported last week.
“I always review every position. That’s just one of many,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked if the United States was reviewing its position on the Falklands.
Asked if he wanted the government of new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham to increase the country’s current spending pledges, the US leader replied: “The UK’s got some problems but they’ll get solved.”
Washington officially recognises de facto British administration of the Falkland Islands – which Argentina calls “Las Malvinas” – without taking a side on the conflicting sovereignty claims.
The US State Department told AFP in April when the first reports emerged of a possible review that “our position on The Islands remains one of neutrality”.
But the Pentagon review aimed at getting US allies to hit a 5 per cent defence spending target could give Britain “special attention” by threatening to oppose British sovereignty outright, the Telegraph said.
Four decades after the conflict, tensions are still high between Britain and Argentina.
Argentina players held up a banner saying “The Falklands are Argentine” after beating England 2-1 in the World Cup semi-final earlier this year.
FIFA later fined the Argentinian Football Association US$321,000 (S$408,220).
Argentinian forces invaded the British overseas territory, which resulted in then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher sending a naval task force to reclaim the islands.
The Falklands war left 649 Argentinians, 255 Britons and three islanders dead.
Then US President Ronald Reagan initially took a neutral stance, but after peace talks broke down Washington gave Britain military and intelligence support. AFP