Washington’s stance on the Falkland Islands remains unchanged, but a former Pentagon official says the Trump administration may apply diplomatic pressure on the United Kingdom to meet its NATO defense‑spending commitments.
Former Pentagon press secretary weighs in
Morgan Murphy, who served as a press secretary in the War Department, told Fox News Digital that the United States continues to recognize British administration of the Falklands and stays neutral on the islands’ sovereignty. He added, however, that the Trump administration could “squeeze” London by reminding it of its NATO obligations.
“You don’t take the security and skip the bill. That is free‑riding,” Murphy said. “Friends tell friends the check is due. Squeeze is accountability.”
UK defense spending under scrutiny
The comments come as reports indicate U.K. Chancellor John Healey may abandon the target of spending 3% of gross domestic product on defense by 2030 when he presents the October budget. Current projections show U.K. defense spending reaching about 2.7% of GDP by 2030, with a new timeline expected for reaching the 3% mark on the path to NATO’s 3.5% core‑defense target by 2035.
At the 2025 Hague Summit, NATO allies agreed to raise defense and security‑related expenditures to 5% of GDP by 2035, including at least 3.5% on core defense requirements. The United States has consistently shouldered a larger share of the alliance’s conventional burden.
Potential U.S. leverage
Murphy said the United States could employ diplomatic tools—such as discussions at upcoming NATO summits, public statements, and coordinated pressure with other allies—to encourage Britain to meet its commitments. He emphasized that this would not constitute a change in the long‑standing U.S. neutrality on Falklands sovereignty.
“We can’t ‘withdraw support’ for sovereignty of the Falklands that was never there,” Murphy noted. “Policy experts know the difference between an unsourced whisper to a British paper that ‘nothing is being ruled out’ and an official word from the White House.”
Broader NATO context
The United States is currently conducting a six‑month review of troop deployments in Europe, led by Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby, according to Reuters. The review underscores Washington’s push for European allies and Canada to assume greater responsibility for conventional defense while the U.S. retains its nuclear deterrent and intelligence support.
Murphy warned that failing to meet agreed‑upon spending targets could be seen as “cheating” on a treaty‑like commitment, and he suggested that the United States might consider additional measures, including tariffs, if the U.K. does not adjust its budget.
Official responses
A U.K. government spokesperson told Sky News that Britain remains a central NATO partner, the alliance’s third‑largest cash spender on defense, and the only European NATO member that contributes its nuclear deterrent.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Pentagon and 10 Downing Street for comment.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
