Donald Trump declined to commit to backing the UK in a potential future conflict over the Falkland Islands, saying Britain was "not there to help me" in the US war with Iran. The US president made the remarks in an interview with GB News, in which he later said his military did not need any support, the BBC reported.
What did the president say? Asked whether he would "come to the UK's aid" in a potential territorial dispute, Trump said he was "there when they had the first war" and that Britain "took it back pretty strongly, but it's a long way away." Turning to Iran, he said the UK gets "a big percentage" of its oil from the Strait of Hormuz and "you weren't there to help me." He said he had asked Nato, and had asked Britain's "former leader" why the UK did not "send a couple of ships", and that the then prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, told him no vessels were available, which "was pretty sad". Trump also said Nato "was not there" even though most of its members get "a big portion of their oil from there", adding: "So we're doing that by ourselves."
What is the US position on the islands? Previous US administrations have formally recognised the UK's de facto administration of the islands but taken no formal position on sovereignty, the BBC reported. Trump had previously said the US could revise its neutral position if the UK failed to increase defence spending. Asked by the BBC whether he was reviewing it, he said: "I always review every position. That's just one of many."
How did the UK respond? The UK government said Falkland islanders "are British with a right to determine their own future". A spokesperson said the islanders "have repeatedly expressed their wish to remain a British overseas territory and our commitment to them is unwavering." In a 2013 referendum, residents voted to remain a British overseas territory, with 99.8% in favour and just three voting against.
What is the background? The islands remain the subject of a sovereignty dispute between Britain and Argentina, which fought a brief war over them in 1982 in which a British task force ejected Argentine forces. The 74 days of fighting killed 255 British military personnel, three islanders and 649 Argentine military personnel. Argentine President Javier Milei was due to make a televised statement on Thursday night about what he describes as his nation's "historic" claim to the islands.
Figures referenced: Donald Trump. — JudgeMarket.
