Javier Milei’s comments supporting Argentina’s claim to the Falkland Islands have intensified pressure on the UK government to raise defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030, according to Tan Dhesi, the Labour chair of the defence committee. Dhesi said the target would cost an estimated additional £10bn a year and urged the prime minister and chancellor not to defer decisions until next year. His call came after the prime minister appeared to endorse the 2030 commitment during Prime Minister’s Questions, before No 10 said no firm pledge had been made. The government has instead committed to Nato’s longer-term target of 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035. The dispute unfolded alongside comments from Donald Trump that appeared to question US support for Britain’s sovereignty over the Falklands. Milei subsequently said global conditions were becoming more favourable to Argentina’s claim and threatened restrictions on companies developing oil without the Argentine government’s approval. UK ministers said the islands would remain British for as long as their residents wanted them to.