Trump says US position on Falklands 'one of many' under review
The UK says Falkland islanders "are British with a right to determine their own future".
U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that the United States' stance on the Falkland Islands is part of a broader review of various positions. The question arose following a report that external U.S. defense officials are considering proposals to encourage NATO allies to meet their spending commitments, with a potential threat of opposing the UK's sovereignty claim over the Falklands included.
The UK government firmly maintains that the Falkland Islanders, who wish to remain a British overseas territory, have a clear right to determine their future. The islands, located in the South-West Atlantic Ocean, are a subject of dispute between the UK and Argentina, with a brief but violent war fought over the territory in 1982.
While previous administrations have recognized the UK's de facto administration of the islands, no formal sovereignty position has been taken. Trump's comments were dismissed as "nonsense" by Labour MP Dame Emily Thornberry, who chairs the Commons foreign affairs committee. The UK Foreign Office responded by reiterating its unwavering commitment to the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands and the rights of the Falkland Islanders to self-determination.
Written by urgent.news from BBC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
