The US has taken a stance against Argentina’s brinkmanship — it’s time we joined them

The 30th anniversary of the Falklands War – and the bellicose rhetoric (and videos) currently emerging from Buenos Aires — has once more shone a spotlight on the UK’s relationship with Argentina. Were it not for the Falklands, it’s unlikely that Argentina would occupy much discussion in this country. The truth, for those of us who have followed the country’s recent history, is that Argentina, most notably under the current Government, is truly remarkable. But for all the wrong reasons.

In Britain, of course, our chief concern is the ongoing nationalist rhetoric that President Cristina Kirchner is whipping up around the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. But if you were Spanish, your chief concern would be that Kirchner has just filed a Bill to nationalise part of a major Spanish energy company, YPF/Repsol, which would mean losses of billions of Euros for Spanish investors. Months of government intimidation has already lost the company several operating licences in Argentina, and significantly depressed its share price.