Donald Trump says he could negotiate a solution for the Falkland Islands in the event of a conflict between the United Kingdom and Argentina

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday in Dublin that he could negotiate a solution if a conflict broke out between the United Kingdom and Argentina over the Falkland Islands. The White House leader described such a war as a “potential disaster.”

Trump suggested that London might be reluctant to intervene militarily if Argentina attacked the islands again, as it did in 1982, citing the distance and the United Kingdom’s domestic problems. He said that, if asked for help, he could contribute to negotiating a solution.

The statements were made in the presence of Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin and have brought renewed attention to the dispute over sovereignty of the South Atlantic archipelago. The majority of Falkland Islands residents support maintaining ties with the United Kingdom.

Argentine President Javier Milei recently reaffirmed his claims to the islands, which he called “our future.” The Buenos Aires government has imposed sanctions on individuals and companies involved in oil exploration in the region and announced a complaint against Navitas Petroleum.

In 1982, the Argentine invasion triggered a war lasting approximately 70 days, resulting in the deaths of 255 British service members, 655 Argentine service members and three island residents.