The UK government announced on 13 October 2026 that it is preparing protective measures under Protection of Trading Interests legislation, responding to Argentine domestic measures targeting companies and individuals involved in lawful economic activity connected to the Falkland Islands. The government said the aim is to protect UK persons and companies from pressure to comply with extraterritorial measures, not to restrict lawful commercial activity with Argentina.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the government would act where Argentina seeks to impede lawful UK commercial activity. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said Argentina's attempts to intimidate businesses and individuals engaged in legitimate commercial activity were unacceptable. The government said it supports the Falkland Islanders' right to self-determination and to develop their natural resources, adding that economic development decisions there rest with the Falkland Islands Government and the companies involved.

The government said it would bring forward secondary legislation as quickly as possible, aiming to have it in force before the end of the year, and that the measures would target only Argentine extraterritorial measures affecting the Falkland Islands. It said it was engaging closely with affected businesses.