A US review of its stance on the Falkland Islands has been dismissed as "just an email" by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, following a week of speculation prompted by King Charles's state visit to America. The claim that the Trump administration might reconsider its position on the South Atlantic territory in response to the UK's refusal to support US-Israeli strikes against Iran was outlined in an internal Pentagon memo, reportedly drafted by a junior advisor.
Mr Rubio told The Sun that fallout from the memo was "overexcited". He said: "It was just an email. People are getting overexcited by an email. It was just an email with some ideas." The memo had suggested the US could review its recognition of British claims to "imperial possessions", including the Falklands, after Sir Keir Starmer initially denied the US access to British bases on Diego Garcia for attacks on Iran.
Argentina has long claimed sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and invaded in 1982, leading to a brief war with the UK. The potential shift in US policy prompted Argentina to call for talks with the UK over the islands, but Downing Street insisted the sovereignty was "not in question". Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper discussed the issue directly with Mr Rubio during a face-to-face meeting in Washington DC on Wednesday.
A State Department official reiterated the US position of neutrality, stating: "Our position on the islands remains one of neutrality. We acknowledge that there are conflicting claims of sovereignty between Argentina and the UK. We recognise the de facto United Kingdom administration of the islands but take no position regarding sovereignty claims of either party."
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage had previously urged the King to raise the Falklands issue with President Trump, saying: "I’m delighted that he’s going. If anybody can mend the fences that are currently broken, it’s the King."
