Downing Street has hit back after Donald Trump said the US is “reviewing” its position on the Falkland Islands.
On Monday, Trump was asked about the US’s position on Falklands by a reporter in the White House.
The president responded: “I always review positions, and that’s one of them.”
The Falkland Islands became a topic of conversation again earlier this summer when England met Argentina in the World Cup semi finals.
After the match, the Argentina players displayed a banner saying the islands, which are called the Malvinas in Argentina, belonged to the South American nation.
America’s official position is that it is neutral on the islands’ sovereignty, which in practice means it supports the status quo.
However, the Telegraph reported over the weekend that the US could leverage its position on the Falklands to pressure the UK in its military spending and NATO contributions.
Reacting to Trump’s comments, Downing Street reiterated that the British government’s position has not changed on the islands.
Andy Burnham’s official spokesperson said on Tuesday: “In the summer we set out our position very clearly and that hasn’t changed
“The Falkland islanders are British, with the right to determine their own future.
“They have expressed their wish to remain a British Overseas Territory and our commitment to them is unwavering.”
Burnham is set to meet Trump in person for the first time as prime minister later this month in New York at the UN general assembly.
Trump has previously described Burnham as “terrific” and welcomed the Labour leader’s seeming willingness to grant more licences for drilling in the North Sea.