Trump says US is reviewing its position on the Falkland Islands
US President Donald Trump said that Washington is reviewing its position on the Falkland Islands, an archipelago in the southern Atlantic Ocean whose sovereignty is disputed by the United Kingdom and Argentina. He told reporters in the Oval Office, according to the Korea Herald.
Asked whether the United States was reviewing its position on the islands, Trump replied that he was reviewing all positions and called it one of many issues. Commenting on the United Kingdom's defense commitments, he said that the UK has problems, but they will be resolved.
Reports of possible Pentagon measures
Earlier, the Daily Telegraph reported that the Pentagon is developing measures intended to encourage US NATO allies to meet their defense spending commitments. According to the newspaper, as part of this review, the United Kingdom could receive “special attention,” including consideration of threatening to openly oppose British sovereignty over the islands.
As the publication noted, these proposals were linked to the US effort to ensure that allies reach the target defense spending level of 5%.
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US position and history of the dispute
Washington officially recognizes the United Kingdom's de facto administration of the Falkland Islands but does not take either side in the sovereignty dispute. In April, the US State Department told Agence France-Presse that the United States' position on the islands remains neutral.
Argentina calls the islands the Malvinas. In 1982, Argentina and the United Kingdom fought over the archipelago after Argentine forces invaded the British overseas territory. Then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher dispatched a naval task force to retake the islands. The war killed 649 Argentines, 255 Britons, and three island residents.
US President Ronald Reagan initially maintained a neutral position, but after peace talks failed, Washington provided the United Kingdom with military and intelligence support.
