Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Trump Offers to Resolve UK-Argentina Falkland Islands Sovereignty Dispute
The Falkland Islands are a group of islands in the South Atlantic.
Argentina calls them Las Malvinas and says they should belong to Argentina.
The United Kingdom has controlled and administered the islands since 1833.
Britain says the people living there want to remain part of the United Kingdom.
In 1982, Argentina and Britain fought a war over the islands.
Donald Trump said he might be asked to help solve the disagreement.
He also said Britain might find it difficult to respond quickly to another invasion because the islands are very far away.
The United Nations says the two countries should settle the dispute peacefully.
Donald Trump said he expects the United Kingdom and Argentina to ask him to help settle their dispute over the Falkland Islands.
Trump questioned whether Britain would respond to another invasion because the islands are weeks away by boat.
Argentina claims sovereignty based on inheriting Spain’s territorial claims and says Britain took control illegally in 1833.
The United Kingdom says it has administered the islands since 1833 and that residents overwhelmingly want to remain British.
The United Nations recognizes a dispute and has repeatedly urged both countries to resolve it peacefully.
- Who
- The United Kingdom, Argentina, Donald Trump, the Falkland Islands’ residents, and the United Nations are involved in the dispute.
- What
- The dispute concerns sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, which Argentina calls Las Malvinas.
- When
- Trump made the comments during a visit to Dublin, days after saying he would not back Britain if Argentina invaded the islands.
- Where
- The Falkland Islands are in the South Atlantic, about 500–600 kilometers from Argentina.
- Why
- Argentina says it inherited Spain’s territorial claims and that Britain took the islands illegally in 1833, while the United Kingdom says it has administered them since then and that residents want to remain British.
Argentina’s position
United Kingdom’s position
Historical sovereignty
Argentina’s position
Argentina says it inherited Spain’s territorial claims when the islands became independent from Spain in 1816, and that Britain took control illegally in 1833.
United Kingdom’s position
The United Kingdom says it has administered the islands since 1833.
Residents’ preference
Argentina’s position
Argentina continues to claim sovereignty despite the referendum result cited in the article.
United Kingdom’s position
The United Kingdom says the islanders overwhelmingly want to remain British; 99.8% voted for that status in the 2013 referendum.
Trump’s role
Argentina’s position
Trump said both countries are unhappy with the situation and suggested he could be called in to help resolve it.
United Kingdom’s position
Trump also previously said he would not back Britain if Argentina invaded, while later questioning whether Britain would be willing to travel to the islands to respond.
- Alternative name
- Argentina calls the Falkland Islands Las Malvinas.
- Location
- The islands are in the South Atlantic, about 500–600 kilometers from Argentina.
- British administration
- The United Kingdom says it has administered the islands since 1833.
- 1982 conflict
- Argentina and Britain fought over the islands in 1982.
- 2013 referendum
- A reported 99.8% of voters chose to remain a United Kingdom Overseas Territory.
- United Nations position
- The United Nations recognizes a sovereignty dispute and has urged a peaceful resolution.
- Trump’s proposal
- Trump said he might be able to help settle the disagreement if asked by both countries.