Donald Trump’s questioning of Britain’s ability to defend the Falkland Islands against a renewed Argentine invasion is “completely incoherent”, senior Conservative Tom Tugendhat has said, as tensions over the South Atlantic territory intensify.
Tugendhat criticised what he described as the US president’s “erratic” intervention after Trump suggested British forces might be reluctant to travel “that far” to defend the islands.
Speaking during a visit to Ireland, Trump questioned whether Britain would be prepared to mount another military operation in the South Atlantic, referring to a journey that could take “weeks by boat”.
Tugendhat told Sky News that Trump’s comments were “completely incoherent, but it’s also, as we know, it’s erratic”.
The Conservative MP pointed to the overwhelming support among Falkland Islanders for remaining British and accused Argentina of seeking to seize the territory.
“What the Argentine government is trying to do is attempt a colonial takeover.
“It absolutely has never been part of Argentina. So what they’re trying to do is attempt colonial occupation.”
Trump, meanwhile, suggested Britain had domestic problems that could distract it from defending the islands.
“I’m not sure they’re doing that. They have a little problem with immigration.
“They have a little problem with energy, and then have some other problems they have to take care of.”
He added: “I’m sure I’ll be called into that potential disaster, but if they do, I’ll probably be able to settle it out.”
The remarks have added a new layer of uncertainty to the diplomatic dispute as Argentine President Javier Milei, who has developed close ties with Trump, renews Buenos Aires’ claim to the islands.
In a nationally televised address, Milei said the Falklands “are our future”. His government has also imposed sanctions on individuals and companies involved in oil exploration around the islands and said it would file a criminal complaint against Navitas Petroleum over its operations.
The British government has sought to make clear that it regards the sovereignty of the Falklands as settled.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham told MPs on Wednesday that Britain would be “relentless in defending the Falkland Islanders” right to be British.
The dispute has particular significance for the UK-US relationship. Washington is formally neutral on the question of Falklands sovereignty, but provided support to Britain during the 1982 war after Argentina invaded the islands.
The conflict lasted just over 70 days and resulted in the deaths of 255 British service personnel, 655 Argentinians and three Falkland Islanders.
For London, the renewed debate comes as Britain seeks to reinforce its commitment to the territory while facing questions over the extent of American backing in any future confrontation.
Falkland Islanders overwhelmingly rejected Argentine sovereignty in a 2013 referendum, with 99.8 per cent voting to remain a British overseas territory. Only three voters opposed the proposal.
The overwhelming result remains central to Britain’s position that the wishes of the islanders must determine the territory’s future, while Buenos Aires continues to insist on its historic claim.
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