REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, WASHINGTON \u2013 The Trump administration is reportedly\nconsidering further steps to punish the UK. This includes reconsidering\nits position on the UK\u2019s claim to the disputed Falkland Islands, which\nare contested with Argentina.<\/p>\n
Internal Pentagon emails outline options for the US to punish its\nNATO ally for being perceived as not supporting a war with Iran,\naccording to Reuters, citing a US official. This includes suspending\nSpain from NATO and reassessing US diplomatic support for longstanding\nEuropean \u201cimperial possessions\u201d, such as the Falkland Islands near\nArgentina. It is unclear whether these options can be implemented.<\/p>\n
Donald Trump has repeatedly vented his anger at UK Prime Minister\nKeir Starmer over his reluctance to join the war. He has belittled\nStarmer by calling him \u201cno Winston Churchill\u201d.<\/p>\n
Trump has also described the UK\u2019s aircraft carrier as a \u201ctoy\u201d. In a\nfurther sign of strain in the \u201cspecial relationship\u201d, Trump has\nthreatened to impose \u201cbig tariffs\u201d on the UK over its digital services\ntax on US social media companies.<\/p>\n
Downing Street, the UK prime minister\u2019s office, has condemned reports\nthat the US may reconsider its position on the UK\u2019s claim to the\nFalkland Islands. The prime minister\u2019s official spokesperson said: \u201cThe\nUK\u2019s position is clear and will not change\u2026 This is a longstanding\nposition. It will not change, and it will remain so.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Falkland Islands have voted overwhelmingly to remain a British\nOverseas Territory, and we have always supported the islanders\u2019 right to\nself-determination and the fact that sovereignty lies with the UK.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked whether the UK is prepared to defend the islands from any\nthreats, the spokesperson replied: \u201cQuestions about the Falkland Islands\nand UK sovereignty, as well as the islanders\u2019 right to\nself-determination, do not need to be questioned again, and we have\nstated that position clearly and consistently.\u201d<\/p>\n
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has also weighed in on the Falklands\ndebate, saying reports that the US might withdraw its support for UK\ncontrol over the islands are \u201cutterly outrageous\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is mad,\u201d he told broadcasters. \u201cYesterday, President Trump said\nthe king\u2019s state visit would mend relations. Today he is threatening\ntariffs on the UK. And now we have a leaked memo saying he is\nthreatening British sovereignty in the Falklands.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that he believes King Charles\u2019s visit to the US next week\n\u201cshould be cancelled\u201d, and said that Trump \u201ccannot keep insulting our\ncountry\u201d.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/falkland-islands-become-latest-us-uk-dispute-1777045945", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }