Falkland Islands: Trump says US reviewing stance

President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States is reviewing its position on the Falkland Islands, after reports that Washington could threaten to oppose British sovereignty if Britain does not increase defense spending.

"I always review every position. That's just one of many," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked whether the United States was reviewing its stance on the Falklands.

The Daily Telegraph reported last week that the proposal was among Pentagon measures being drawn up to encourage NATO allies to meet spending pledges. The newspaper said the review, linked to a 5% defense spending target, could give Britain "special attention" by threatening to oppose British sovereignty outright.

Asked whether he wanted the government of new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham to increase its current spending pledges, Trump said: "The UK's got some problems but they'll get solved."

Washington officially recognizes de facto UK administration of the Falkland Islands, which Argentina calls Las Malvinas, while not taking a side on the competing sovereignty claims. The US State Department told AFP in April that "our position on The Islands remains one of neutrality."

Britain and Argentina fought a war over the South Atlantic archipelago in 1982. The war left 649 Argentines, 255 Britons and three islanders dead.