Trump Opens Door to Backing Argentina’s Falklands Claim

US President Donald Trump has suggested he is reconsidering Washington's position on Britain's sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, a move that could further strain relations between the United States and the United Kingdom.

Asked at the White House whether he was reviewing the US position on the South Atlantic islands, Trump said: "I always review every position - that's just one of many." The Falklands have long been claimed by Argentina, although Britain has administered them for most of the period since 1833.

The United States officially maintains a neutral position on the question of sovereignty. In practice, however, Washington recognizes British administration of the islands, which Argentina invaded in 1982, triggering a war that ended with British forces regaining control.

The British government declined to comment on Trump's remarks.

The comments have raised concerns that Washington could use the Falklands dispute to pressure the government of British Prime Minister Andy Burnham to increase defense spending and its contribution to NATO.

An unnamed US official told the Telegraph last week that Washington could reconsider its position on the islands if Britain failed to meet its defense spending commitments. The warning came amid reports that UK Chancellor John Healey was preparing to abandon a previous pledge to spend 3% of GDP on defense by 2030 when he presents his first budget on October 28.

Trump has repeatedly pushed US allies to increase military spending and contribute more to NATO, accusing them of taking advantage of American security commitments. At a NATO summit in The Hague last year, allied countries agreed to raise defense and security-related spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.

Speculation that Washington could shift its position on the Falklands has circulated for months. In April, a leaked Pentagon email reportedly suggested reviewing Britain's claim in response to London's lack of support for Trump's decision to launch military action against Iran.

A change in the US position would be a significant psychological setback for Britain, particularly given Washington's role during the 1982 Falklands War. After Argentina invaded the islands, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher sent a naval task force to retake them, while President Ronald Reagan provided strong diplomatic backing to Britain despite the United States also being an ally of Argentina's military government.

The conflict killed 649 Argentine and 255 British military personnel before Argentina surrendered in June 1982. The war also helped cement the close political relationship between Thatcher and Reagan.

Trump has meanwhile developed close ties with Argentine President Javier Milei, who attended Trump's second inauguration in January last year. In 2025, Trump authorized a USD20 billion financial lifeline for Argentina during an economic crisis, although the support was made conditional on Milei's party winning subsequent congressional elections. Milei's La Libertad Avanza subsequently won the vote, and Trump later authorized Argentine beef imports as part of efforts to reduce US food prices.

Milei has repeatedly backed Argentina's claim to the Falklands. The dispute remains overwhelmingly rejected by the islanders themselves. In a 2013 referendum, 1,513 of the 1,517 Falklands residents who voted chose to remain part of the United Kingdom.

The issue resurfaced in July after Argentina defeated England 2-1 in a World Cup semifinal. Argentine players celebrated by displaying a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" - "The Falklands are Argentine." FIFA later fined the Argentine Football Association USD235,000 for violating rules against non-sporting demonstrations.