United States President Donald Trump chose not to answer if the U.S. would support the United Kingdom in a potential new conflict with Argentina over the Malvinas Islands.
In an interview with British outlet GB News on Thursday, he chose instead to praise the British military for regaining the islands in the 1982 war, while also saying that the war was “a long time ago.”
“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. That’s a big trip; it’s a long way,” Trump said.
The Republican’s response was presented as “a threat” by the British outlet on its website and caused reactions from the media and political figures.
While the Daily Mail said that Trump “hinted” that he wouldn’t back Britain if Argentina invaded the islands, Labour MP Anna Turley responded to the U.S. President’s statements by reaffirming her government’s position.
