The administration of Donald Trump is reportedly considering measures that could affect long-standing US support for Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands, according to details of an internal Pentagon communication.
The proposals, outlined in an internal email described by a US official to Reuters, are said to explore potential responses to frustration within the administration over NATO allies’ level of support during tensions involving Iran.
Among the options reportedly discussed is a review of US diplomatic backing for certain European territories, including the Falkland Islands, which are administered by the United Kingdom but claimed by Argentina.
The communication is also said to have raised broader concerns about cooperation within NATO, particularly regarding access, basing and overflight rights, which the document described as “just the absolute baseline for NATO.”
Additional measures reportedly considered include limiting the roles of certain member states within the alliance, though the document did not propose a full US withdrawal from NATO or the closure of military bases in Europe.
The reported deliberations come amid increasingly critical remarks by Trump about NATO, which he has previously described as a “paper tiger.” When asked earlier this month about the possibility of leaving the alliance, he said: “Wouldn’t you if you were me?”
The tensions also follow reports that the United Kingdom declined to allow US forces to use certain British bases during the early stages of a conflict involving Iran, a decision that may have contributed to the administration’s dissatisfaction.
Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson said in a statement: “As President Trump has said, despite everything that the United States has done for our NATO allies, they were not there for us.
“The War Department will ensure that the President has credible options to ensure that our allies are no longer a paper tiger and instead do their part. We have no further comment on any internal deliberations to that effect.” Separately, Trump has also signalled potential economic measures against the UK, warning of possible tariffs in response to Britain’s Digital Services Tax, which he claims unfairly targets American companies.