Donald Trump has suggested he is reconsidering US support for Britain's sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, in comments that could strain the special relationship between Washington and London, according to the Guardian.
Donald Trump has suggested he is reconsidering US support for Britain’s sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, a move that the Guardian reports is likely to strain the “special relationship” between Washington and London.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, the US president responded to a question about whether he was reviewing the US position on the South Atlantic islands. “I always review every position – that’s just one of many,” Trump said.
According to the Guardian, the comments signal that the president may be prepared to use the dispute to push the UK to raise its defence spending and its contributions to Nato.
The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic whose status has long been disputed, with Argentina claiming sovereignty over the islands.
Why it matters
Any shift in Washington's stance on the Falkland Islands would test a longstanding pillar of US-UK relations. According to the Guardian, the comments also point to how Trump may leverage the dispute to press the UK on defence spending and Nato contributions.