Brexit campaigner Daniel Hannan warns a US shift on the Falklands would wreck the Atlantic alliance

Daniel Hannan, a prominent Brexit campaigner and former MEP, has cautioned in the Washington Examiner that a shift in the US stance on the Falkland Islands could jeopardize the Atlantic alliance. This warning comes in response to arguments by economists Walter E. Block and Ege Fakkusoglu, who support Argentina's claim to the islands.

The debate on the American political right has gained traction since President Trump suggested in August that Washington might reconsider its position on the Falklands' sovereignty. While the US has historically maintained a neutral stance, with administrations recognizing Britain's de facto administration, recent statements from officials remain ambiguous.

Hannan, who served in the European Parliament and House of Lords, argues that a US policy change would fundamentally undermine the Western alliance. He points out that Britain, Canada, and Denmark were among the first to support the US in Afghanistan in 2001, even without being directly attacked. Since then, Canada has faced trade disputes, and Denmark has threatened to annex territory.

Hannan contends that a reversal in US policy would "destroy the Atlantic alliance." The column references Trump's doubts as a catalyst for pro-Argentine commentary among US conservatives, contrasting this with the Reagan administration's support for Britain during the 1982 Falklands conflict, when the Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of the UK's position.

The original piece, titled "Sorry, Britain, the Falkland Islanders are just 190-year-old squatters," argues that Britain's occupation of the islands in 1833 was illegal and that time does not transform a seizure into a valid title. Hannan emphasizes that Britain never accepted Argentina's claim, noting that the Argentine garrison was dispatched in 1829 and the colony dismantled by a US warship in 1831.

He also highlights that in 1833, HMS Clio removed the Argentine garrison without a fight. The critical argument, he asserts, lies in the concept of self-determination. If 190 years of settlement do not confer rights, he argues, much of today's map—including US territories such as Texas, Kansas, and Colorado—would be invalid. Notably, a 2013 referendum saw 99.8% of voters in the Falkland Islands opting for British sovereignty, with a 92% turnout.

Despite knowing Javier Milei, the current Argentine president, Hannan notes that he once advocated for a more prosperous Argentina and criticized Argentine governments for diverting attention from economic issues. He also criticized Israeli politicians who have backed Argentina's claim over the islands.