Trump Says He Could Settle UK and Argentina Dispute Over Falkland Islands

US President Donald Trump stated during a visit to Dublin that he would probably be able to settle the ongoing sovereignty dispute between the United Kingdom and Argentina over the Falkland Islands if called upon to do so. Speaking to reporters and Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Trump described a potential new conflict as a potential disaster. He expressed doubt regarding whether the British government would be willing to deploy resources to the islands given the distance, noting that it would take weeks by boat to reach the territory.

Trump referenced the 1982 war, noting that while the UK comported itself well at the time, the country is currently facing internal challenges. He specifically mentioned issues with immigration and energy, and suggested that the UK had not helped him in the past. In response, Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the House of Commons that the UK would be relentless in defending the rights of the Falkland Islanders to remain British.

Argentina's President Javier Milei, an ally of Trump, has recently reiterated his country's claim to the islands. The Argentine government has imposed sanctions on companies involved in oil exploration around the islands and has increased its defense budget. While the US is formally neutral on the sovereignty issue, it supported Britain during the 1982 conflict. A 2013 referendum showed that 99.8 percent of Falkland Islanders favor remaining a British overseas territory.