Falkland Islands Become Latest US-UK Dispute
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, WASHINGTON – The Trump administration is reportedly considering further steps to punish the UK. This includes reconsidering its position on the UK’s claim to the disputed Falkland Islands, which are contested with Argentina.
Internal Pentagon emails outline options for the US to punish its NATO ally for being perceived as not supporting a war with Iran, according to Reuters, citing a US official. This includes suspending Spain from NATO and reassessing US diplomatic support for longstanding European “imperial possessions”, such as the Falkland Islands near Argentina. It is unclear whether these options can be implemented.
Donald Trump has repeatedly vented his anger at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his reluctance to join the war. He has belittled Starmer by calling him “no Winston Churchill”.
Trump has also described the UK’s aircraft carrier as a “toy”. In a further sign of strain in the “special relationship”, Trump has threatened to impose “big tariffs” on the UK over its digital services tax on US social media companies.
Downing Street, the UK prime minister’s office, has condemned reports that the US may reconsider its position on the UK’s claim to the Falkland Islands. The prime minister’s official spokesperson said: “The UK’s position is clear and will not change… This is a longstanding position. It will not change, and it will remain so.”
“The Falkland Islands have voted overwhelmingly to remain a British Overseas Territory, and we have always supported the islanders’ right to self-determination and the fact that sovereignty lies with the UK.”
When asked whether the UK is prepared to defend the islands from any threats, the spokesperson replied: “Questions about the Falkland Islands and UK sovereignty, as well as the islanders’ right to self-determination, do not need to be questioned again, and we have stated that position clearly and consistently.”
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has also weighed in on the Falklands debate, saying reports that the US might withdraw its support for UK control over the islands are “utterly outrageous”.
“This is mad,” he told broadcasters. “Yesterday, President Trump said the king’s state visit would mend relations. Today he is threatening tariffs on the UK. And now we have a leaked memo saying he is threatening British sovereignty in the Falklands.”
He added that he believes King Charles’s visit to the US next week “should be cancelled”, and said that Trump “cannot keep insulting our country”.