Tories urge Burnham to veto Argentina joining huge trade pact unless Milei drops Falklands threats

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 06:07 EDT, 6 September 2026 | Updated: 06:12 EDT, 6 September 2026 Andy Burnham has been urged to veto Argentina joining a huge trade pact unless it drops Falklands threats.The Tories insisted Buenos Aires cannot be part of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership - CPTPP - while attempting to 'bully' Britain.The call for the PM to take a tougher line came after maverick Argentinian president Javier Milei reiterated the country's 'sacred' claim to the territory.Encouraged by his ally Donald Trump's pledge to 'review' traditional US neutrality on the dispute, Mr Milei has announced sanctions on oil exploration around the islands. The UK Government has been adamant that sovereignty of the Falklands - which the Argentinians call 'Las Malvinas' - is not in doubt. In a referendum of islanders in 2013, 99.8 per cent voted to stay British, with a turnout of 92 per cent. Andy Burnham has been urged to veto Argentina joining a huge trade pact unless it drops Falklands threats The call for the PM to take a tougher line came after maverick Argentinian president Javier Milei (pictured) reiterated the country's 'sacred' claim to the territory Britain and Argentina fought in 1982 over the islands after Argentina made a failed bid to take them Shadow foreign secretary Tom Tugendhat said Argentina was keen to join the CPTPP trading blocArgentine forces attempted to seize control of the Falklands in 1982, which resulted in Britain's then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher sending a naval task force to reclaim them.The war left 649 Argentines, 255 Britons and three islanders dead.The UK gained full access to the CPTPP - which has a combined GDP of around £13trillion - this month. The 11 other members are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. Shadow foreign secretary Tom Tugendhat said Argentina was keen to join the trading bloc. 'We must bring economic, military, and diplomatic power together. Uniting all Britain's strengths is what's needed to strengthen our foreign policy and serve our nation's interests. That's how we can protect the British people,' Mr Tugendhat said.'Milei needs Britain as a friend. He wants to join the CPTPP to end his economic crisis. Britain can decide if we let him in. 'There is no better friend than Britain, but we cannot welcome those who threaten us as trade allies. 'Milei is banking on Britain's disunited foreign policy not serving in the interests of Britain and quietly letting him in.'This is about making foreign policy work in Britain's interest, uniting our country and delivering what matters to us. As Foreign Secretary, I will put Britain's security first and bring diplomacy, trade, and military together to show strength, unity, and serve the British people.'Mr Milei's ally Donald Trump has pledged to 'review' traditional US neutrality on the Falklands dispute