Trump reopens the Falklands issue: US is reviewing its position on the islands claimed by Argentina

The administration of Donald Trump is reviewing the United States’ policy regarding the Falkland Islands, a territory administered by the United Kingdom but claimed by Argentina.

Responding to a question in the Oval Office about Washington’s position on the islands’ sovereignty, the US president said that he “always reviews every position.” Trump added that the Falklands issue is just one of many matters under consideration.

However, the White House chief did not clarify what concrete changes might be made to US policy. Since the 1982 war, the United States has traditionally pursued an approach that avoids taking a one-sided position in the conflict between Britain and Argentina.

Buenos Aires, which refers to the islands as “Islas Malvinas,” has not abandoned its claim to sovereignty over the territory. In this situation, Argentina appears to have an additional opportunity to advance its claim, as President Javier Milei is seen as a close ally of Donald Trump.

The Falklands debate is also linked to broader geopolitical developments. At the beginning of this year, a possible change in US policy toward the islands was included in several scenarios considered by the Pentagon as part of pressure on NATO allies to support US military operations during the conflict with Iran.

So far, Trump has given no indication of whether this review process will translate into a real change in Washington’s policy. The dispute over the Falkland Islands remains one of the most sensitive territorial disagreements between England and Argentina.

The two countries clashed in 1982 in a war for control of the islands, which ended with Britain’s victory.