Trump claimed he could mediate between Argentina and the United Kingdom in the dispute over the Falklands

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, stated that he could mediate between Argentina and the United Kingdom in the dispute over the Falkland Islands and even questioned the British ability to maintain their position amid their own internal crises.

The statements were made this Saturday in Dublin, following a meeting he held with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin. In front of the press, Trump noted that the Falklands seem “very interesting” to him and described Argentina and the United Kingdom as “two countries” that are currently “angry” with each other.

The U.S. president also recalled the history of the islands and stated that the British “came in and took them over,” and doubted that the United Kingdom would currently be capable of carrying out a similar military action due to the problems it faces internally.

“(The British) have a little problem with immigration, with energy, and other issues they need to resolve, so I don’t know if they will be willing to travel that far (...) we are talking about weeks on ships. I’m sure they would involve me in that potential disaster, but I would probably be able to solve it,” expressed the U.S. president.

Milei's Announcements on the Falklands

Trump's words come just days after the government of Javier Milei relaunched Argentina's agenda regarding the Falklands issue.

On September 4, the President announced a set of measures related to sovereignty over the islands, including regulations on sanctions against companies that exploit hydrocarbons in the area without Argentine authorization, an increase in the budget allocated to Defense, and a project to build an Integrated Naval Base in Ushuaia.

Part of that package was formalized through DNU 867/2026 and Decree 868/2026. The latter established that the Foreign Ministry will be the authority responsible for enforcing Law 26.659, which includes penalties for exploration or exploitation activities of hydrocarbons on the Argentine continental shelf carried out without the country's authorization.

According to the announced measures, state agencies must inform the Foreign Ministry about possible violations within a period of five business days.

In turn, the Executive promoted a project for a National Sovereignty Defense Law aimed at expanding sanctions on companies and suppliers related to those operations and creating a National Security Council.

In the following days, Milei stated that sanctioning processes had been initiated against 60 companies and individuals with direct or indirect activity in the Falklands.

This week, the creation of the Foreign Policy Coordination System within the Foreign Ministry was added to this scheme through Decree 983/2026.

The area will be responsible for coordinating the actions of state agencies that may influence foreign policy and Argentina's claim over the Falklands, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands, and the corresponding maritime spaces.

Each involved agency must designate an institutional liaison to transmit information to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, and Worship. The regulation also empowers the Foreign Ministry to issue warnings and recommendations when it considers that a management action may affect official guidelines or ongoing diplomatic negotiations.

Additionally, the government is considering incorporating fishing among the activities covered by the future National Sovereignty Defense Law.