Trump said on Monday the US is reassessing its stance on the Falkland Islands,
which Washington had previously described as neutral. British media reported
Washington has threatened to oppose UK sovereignty over the islands unless
Britain increases defense spending; the proposal is one of measures the Pentagon
drafted to pressure NATO allies to meet spending commitments. Trump said, "I
always reassess every position. This is just one of them," and when asked if he
wanted Britain to raise current spending he replied, "The UK has some problems,
but they'll be taken care of." In April the State Department said the US was
maintaining neutrality. The sovereignty dispute, rooted in the 1982 conflict
with Argentina, persists; earlier this year Argentina players displayed a banner
claiming the Falkland Islands belong to Argentina after beating England in the
World Cup semi-final, and FIFA fined the Argentine FA $321,000.
