The White House is considering punishing European countries that have failed to assist Donald Trump wage his war in Iran, according to an official within the Pentagon. Keir Starmer, once described as “very nice”, is now routinely said by the US president to be a “coward” and “no Churchill”. It is claimed that Trump could go further and withdraw American support for Britain’s sovereignty of the Falkland Islands over which the UK and Argentina went to war in 1982. The proposal is said to be contained in an internal Pentagon email.
What does the Pentagon email say?
The memo’s contents have only been briefed out but it is claimed the White House is looking at how to puncture the Europeans’ “sense of entitlement”. Trump has expressed his frustration at the reluctance or refusal of some Nato allies to grant the US access to bases and overflight rights. One punitive measure being considered is the suspension of Spain from Nato, although it is unclear how this would be achieved. The memo is also reported to include an option to consider reassessing US diplomatic support for longstanding European “imperial possessions”, such as the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic.
What is the current US position on the Falklands?
The UK’s claim to sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as Islas Malvinas, is based on the argument that with the “exception of two months of illegal occupation in 1982”, Britain has “continuously, peacefully and effectively inhabited and administered” them since 1833. The British government further claims that it is up to the people of the Falklands to choose their own future and status. The US does not currently take a position on the sovereignty of the islands. According to the US state department, the matter is a bilateral issue between the UK and Argentina. It says: “We encourage both parties to resolve their differences through dialogue in normal diplomatic channels. We recognise de facto United Kingdom administration of the islands but take no position regarding sovereignty.”
What would it mean for the US to withdraw ‘diplomatic support’ on the issue?
Argentina claims that it inherited the Falklands from Spain when it gained independence and that the principle of self-determination is not applicable to the inhabitants of the islands. There are regular attempts by Argentina to gain support for resolutions at the UN which supports its claim. While the US does not take a formal position on the sovereignty, and did seek to find a diplomatic solution at the start of the 1982 conflict, the White House ultimately came to the UK’s aid militarily through the provision of intelligence and advanced missiles when those efforts to find a settlement failed. Since then, the US has helped water down or block resolutions in favour of Argentina’s claim. The Falkland Islands are considered by the UN to be a “non-self-governing territory” and are subject to continuing discussion by the “Special Committee on Decolonization”. The UK has been encouraged to open up negotiations with Argentina, but this has been resisted by the British government on the grounds that the Falklanders have the right to self-determination. Should the US shift to support Argentina, or be vocal about the need for the UK to open talks, the British government would be left isolated.
What is likely to happen?
Nothing. King Charles is on a state visit to the US next week. Trump has appeared utterly enamoured of the British royal family and has said the king’s visit might well “fix” relations after a rocky period. Trump has developed a rapport with Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, who recently reasserted his country’s claim to the islands, but it seems highly unlikely Trump would want to dedicate any time at all – or that of his officials in the UN – on the issue. There are deep security ties between the UK and the US, and such a pivot would be heavily resisted within the system.
