Trump ties UK defense to NATO allies’ Iran war response
President Donald Trump indicated in a GB News interview that the United States would not necessarily come to the UK’s aid in any future conflict with Argentina over the Falkland Islands, tying his position to the UK’s response that no naval vessels were available during the ongoing US war with Iran. The remarks came as Argentine President Javier Milei prepared to make a televised statement Thursday night on what he described as his nation’s “historic” claim to the islands.
When asked by GB News whether he would “come to the UK’s aid” in a potential territorial dispute, Trump said: “Well look, I was there when they had the first war. That was a long time ago and I watched it so carefully, and you comported yourselves very well. You took it back pretty strongly, but it’s a long way away.”
Trump then turned to the US conflict with Iran, saying: “So, your country’s not doing well. Don’t forget, you get a big percentage of your oil from the Strait of Hormuz, and you weren’t there to help me.” He continued: “Your country was not there to help me. We didn’t need help, but I did ask Nato, and I asked your former leader, ‘why didn’t you send a couple of ships?’”
The president said then-Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told him no vessels were available, a response Trump called “pretty sad.” He also said: “Nato was not there, even though they get – most of those countries get – a big portion of their oil from there. So we’re doing that by ourselves.”
Argentina and the UK fought a brief war over the territory in 1982, when a British military task force ejected Argentine forces that had landed on the Falklands to stake a territorial claim. The 74-day conflict killed 255 British military personnel, three Falkland Islanders, and 649 Argentine military personnel. Previous US administrations have formally recognized the UK’s de facto administration of the islands, while declining to take a formal position on sovereignty.
The UK government responded Thursday by saying Falkland Islanders “are British with a right to determine their own future.” A government spokesperson added: “The islanders have repeatedly expressed their wish to remain a British overseas territory and our commitment to them is unwavering.”
In a 2013 referendum, residents of the islands voted overwhelmingly to remain a British overseas territory — with 99.8% voting in favor and just three votes against.
The remarks came after Trump previously said the US could revise its neutral position on the Falklands’ sovereignty if the UK failed to increase defense spending. Asked by the BBC whether he was reviewing the US position on the islands, Trump said: “I always review every position. That’s just one of many.”