WASHINGTON: Following allegations that Washington vowed to reject Britain’s sovereignty if it does not improve defence spending, President Donald Trump stated on Monday that the United States is evaluating its stance on the Falkland Islands.
The Daily Telegraph revealed this week that the Pentagon was developing a plan to encourage NATO partners to fulfil their spending commitments, including the idea pertaining to the South Atlantic archipelago, over which Argentina and Britain fought a war in 1982.
Every position is reviewed by me. When asked if the US was reevaluating its stance on the Falklands, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, “That’s just one of many.” The UK’s got some problems but they’ll get solved,” Trump said in response to a question about whether he wanted the government of new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham to boost its current spending commitments.
Without taking a position on the competing claims to sovereignty, Washington formally acknowledges the de facto UK administration of the Falkland Islands, which Argentina refers to as “Las Malvinas.” When initial rumours of a potential review surfaced in April, the US State Department told AFP that “our position on The Islands remains one of neutrality.
However, the Telegraph claimed that the Pentagon study, which aims to persuade US allies to meet a 5 percent defence budget target, might give Britain “special attention” by threatening to openly reject British sovereignty.
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