United States President Donald Trump said on Monday that he may “review” his country’s position on the sovereignty dispute over the Malvinas Islands between Argentina and the United Kingdom.
Until now the U.S. has not endorsed either Argentina’s or Britain’s claim to ultimate sovereignty over the archipelago, but Washington formally acknowledges that the UK administers the islands in practice.
The veiled comment followed reports published last week by British outlet The Telegraph that the U.S. had threatened to challenge British sovereignty over the islands if the UK failed to increase defense spending and contributions to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
“I always review every position. That’s just one of many,” Trump said after reporters asked him in the Oval Office whether the U.S. was reviewing its position on the Malvinas.
Reporters also asked whether he wanted the government of new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham to increase its current NATO spending commitments. “The UK’s got some problems, but they’ll get solved,” Trump answered.
