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US President Donald Trump has suggested Washington may not support the United Kingdom in the event of a future conflict with Argentina over the Falkland Islands.
Speaking to GB News, as reported by the BBC, Trump criticised Britain over its response to the US war with Iran, saying the country had “not been there to help me”. He later acknowledged that the US military had not required British assistance.
Trump’s comments come as Argentine President Javier Milei renews his country’s longstanding claim to the islands, known as the Malvinas in Argentina.
Milei said he would address what he called the “SACRED issue for Argentines: the Malvinas cause” in a televised speech on Thursday night.
“What cause more important and strategic for the vital interests of the Nation could there be than the Malvinas cause?”, he wrote on X.
On Monday, Trump said the US was reassessing its position on the Falkland Islands, following reports that Washington could challenge Britain’s sovereignty over the territory unless the UK increases defence spending.
The reported move was among measures being considered by the Pentagon to encourage NATO allies to meet their defence spending commitments, 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 whether he wanted the government of newly appointed British Prime Minister Andy Burnham to increase its defence spending commitments, Trump said: “The UK’s got some problems but they’ll get solved.”
More than four decades after the 1982 Falklands War, the sovereignty dispute between Britain and Argentina remains a source of tension.
The issue resurfaced at this year’s World Cup, when Argentina players displayed a banner reading “The Falklands are Argentine” after their 2-1 semi-final victory over England. FIFA later fined the Argentine Football Association $321,000 (€276,000).
The 1982 conflict began after Argentine forces invaded the British overseas territory, prompting then-UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to send a naval task force to retake the islands.