A report that Washington could use the Falkland Islands to pressure Britain into meeting its NATO defense commitments drew a swift rebuttal Sunday from a former Pentagon official, who insisted the long-standing U.S. neutrality on the islands remains unchanged.
The tension comes amid a six-month Pentagon review of U.S. troop deployments in Europe led by Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby, according to the special relationship … You squeeze a budget with tools that move a budget," he said of Washington’s process.
"Public pressure from the president. Annual Hague reviews. A dated 3% by 2030, or a funded path to 3.5% core by 2035, before the next UK defense budget. The special relationship is a privilege, not a welfare program.
"Tariffs if the White House wants them," Murphy warned.
"The UK is playing a central role in NATO and strengthening collective defence across Europe," a U.K. government spokesperson said, according to Sky News. "We are NATO's third-largest cash spender on defence and the only European NATO member to commit our nuclear deterrent to the alliance."
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Pentagon and 10 Downing Street for comment.