Trump says he is considering a change in US policy on the Falklands

Donald Trump said the United States could change its position on the Falkland Islands, without explaining what that change might be.

Asked whether he was considering a new stance on the South Atlantic archipelago, which Britain controls and Argentina claims, Trump replied: “I always consider changes to our positions, and this is just one of many.”

The comments followed a report in The Telegraph that the United States had threatened to withdraw support for British sovereignty over the islands if the UK government did not increase defence spending. Documents leaked to the media in April also reportedly suggested that changing the US position on the Falklands could be used to pressure London.

Britain’s proposed defence-spending plan does not exceed 3% of gross domestic product, contrary to expectations described in the report. Argentina has claimed the islands, known there as the Malvinas, while residents support belonging to the United Kingdom. Britain and Argentina fought a war over the territory in 1982, which Britain won.

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I always consider changes to our positions, and this is just one of many.