Published on 03/09/2026 – 21:33 GMT+2
US President Donald Trump has suggested that Washington may not stand behind the United Kingdom in the event of a future confrontation with Argentina over the Falkland Islands.
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In a conversation with GB News, as reported by the BBC, Trump criticised Britain for its response to the US war with Iran, claiming the country had “not been there to help me.” He subsequently conceded that US forces had not actually required British support.
Trump’s remarks coincide with Argentine President Javier Milei reinvigorating his nation’s long-standing claim to the islands, which Argentina refers to as the Malvinas.
Milei announced plans to address what he termed the “SACRED issue for Argentines: the Malvinas cause” during a televised address on Thursday evening.
“What cause more important and strategic for the vital interests of the Nation could there be than the Malvinas cause?”, he posted on X.
Earlier in the week, Trump stated that the US was reassessing its position on the Falkland Islands, following reports that Washington might contest British sovereignty over the territory unless the UK raises its defence expenditure.
The reported shift was part of broader Pentagon considerations aimed at pushing NATO allies to fulfil their defence spending obligations, according to the Daily Telegraph last week.
“I always review every position. That’s just one of many,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when questioned about whether the United States was reviewing its stance on the Falklands.
When asked whether he wanted newly appointed British Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government to boost its defence spending, Trump responded: “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 continues to generate friction.
The matter re-emerged at this year’s World Cup, when Argentine players unveiled a banner reading “The Falklands are Argentine” following their 2-1 semi-final win against England. FIFA subsequently imposed a fine of $321,000 (€276,000) on the Argentine Football Association.
The 1982 conflict erupted when Argentine forces invaded the British overseas territory, leading then-UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to dispatch a naval task force to reclaim the islands.