Trump said on Monday that the United States is reassessing its position on the Falkland Islands (previously remaining neutral). Reports indicate that Washington has threatened to oppose Britain's sovereignty over the islands if it does not increase defense spending. The proposal regarding the islands is one of measures the Pentagon has devised to incentivize NATO allies to fulfill their spending commitments. Trump stated, "I always reassess every position. This is just one of them." When asked if he wanted the British government to increase its current spending commitments, Trump replied, "The UK has some issues, but they will be addressed." When reports of the reassessment first surfaced in April, the State Department stated it would "remain neutral." However, British media reports suggest that the US may use threats of direct opposition to British sovereignty to give Britain "special attention" in an effort to push allies to meet defense spending targets. Tensions between Britain and Argentina persist forty years after the end of the sovereignty dispute. Earlier this year, after Argentina's 2-1 victory over England in the World Cup semi-final, Argentine players held a banner that read "The Falkland Islands belong to Argentina." FIFA subsequently fined the Argentine Football Association $321,000.
