Trump says Falklands war would be ‘potential disaster’ & boasts he could fix UK-Argentina conflict amid Ireland visit

DONALD Trump has boasted he could “settle” any conflict over the Falkland Islands, describing a war between the UK and Argentina as a “potential disaster”. The US president has previously indicated he might not back the UK’s sovereignty over the Falklands if Argentina launched an attack, and again waded into the dispute during a visit to Dublin on Saturday. US President Donald Trump departs from Aras an Uachtarain, the official residence of Irish President Catherine Connolly in Dublin Credit: PA Trump meets with Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin at Farmleigh House Credit: AFP Speaking to reporters while sitting with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Mr Trump suggested the UK would not “be willing to travel that far” if Argentina invaded the Falklands as it did in 1982, adding it would be “weeks by boat”. Mr Trump – who also greeted President Catherine Connolly, said: “I’m not sure they’re doing that. They have a little problem with immigration. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! “They have a little problem with energy, and then have some other problems they have to take care of.” He added: “I’m sure I’ll be called into that potential disaster, but if they do, I’ll probably be able to settle, settle it out.” Trump shakes hands with Mary O’Shea as he meets with Mr Martin Credit: Reuters President Connolly stands by as Trump signs the visitors book at Aras an Uachtarain Credit: PA Mr Trump’s comments come amid renewed tension over the south Atlantic islands, whose population overwhelmingly favour remaining British. Argentina’s president Javier Milei, an ally of Mr Trump, reiterated his country’s claim to the Falklands in a national televised address, saying the islands “are our future”. His government has also imposed sanctions on people and companies involved in oil exploration around the Falklands and said it would file a criminal complaint against oil company Navitas Petroleum over its operations around the islands. In the Commons on Wednesday, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK would be “relentless” in defending the Falkland Islanders’ right to be British. Most read in The Sun Trump views the guard of honour outside Aras an Uachtarain Credit: PA Trump stands before delivering remarks to U.S. embassy personnel and business leaders at Deerfield Residence Credit: Reuters Although the US is formally neutral on the issue of Falklands sovereignty, Washington provided support for Britain’s campaign to retake the islands after the Argentinian invasion in 1982. It sparked the Falklands War, which led to 255 British service deaths in just over 70 days. It also led to the deaths of 655 Argentinians and three Falkland Islanders. It comes after countless jibes made by Trump at Britain over the conflict. The US President has recently suggested he would not back the UK if Argentina did invade the contested archipelago, citing the lack of support in the war on Iran. “Your country was not there to help me,” he told GB News earlier this month. “We will continue defending the interests of the Argentine Nation with tooth and nail, no matter who it bothers,” he said. His remarks came hours after Trump had suggested he is reconsidering US support for UK’s sovereignty over the islands, in a move which could strain the “special relationship” between the two countries. further twisted the knife: “I was there when they had the first war, that was a long time ago… “You comported yourself very well, took it back very shortly. But it is a long way away. “So, your country’s not doing well. Don’t forget you get a big percentage of your oil from the Strait of Hormuz and you weren’t there to help me.” This is his second dig at the UK in just 24 hours after the President said his position on the territory is “one of many” under review. After meeting with the Taoiseach on Saturday, Trump told reporters that he reckons a united Ireland “may as well happen now” as it is “going to happen eventually”. Trump said: “Well, I don’t want to cause any problems, but I will tell you I’d love to see it unified. “I have friends on both sides, great people. They’re Irish people. How can they be bad, right? I’d love to see it unified. I think it would be a great feather in everybody’s cap if that happened. It’s going to happen eventually. “You know what? The way I look at it, it’s going to happen eventually. It may as well happen now. We’re talking about it and you got the right man over here to get it moving. “But, yeah, I think it would be a fantastic thing. Now the UK will have something to say about it, obviously. But I think it would be a great thing. I mean, how can it be bad?” Trump also spoke about the relationship between Ireland and the US and said it has “never been as good as it is now”. He added: “We have a big relationship with Ireland and that will continue stronger than ever. “We’re doing very well. The two countries do very well together.” He also said he plans to return to Ireland next year for the Ryder Cup. Trump disembarked from his jet at Dublin Airport at around 8.20am this morning. He was greeted by Irish and US dignitaries, including Tanaiste Simon Harris, and swiftly stepped into a motorcade, including an armoured Garda car, which travelled to Phoenix Park. Comment now