US President Donald Trump has ruled out recognising Somaliland for now, distancing Washington from Israel’s recent move and signalling no immediate shift in US policy toward the self-declared African state.
Asked by the New York Post whether he would follow Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland, Trump initially hesitated before delivering a blunt response. “No, comma, not at this…” he said, before cutting himself short. “Just say, ‘No.’”
The 47th president of U.S. appeared sceptical about the territory’s international profile, remarking: “Does anyone know what Somaliland is, really?”
Trump also played down Somaliland’s reported offer to host a US military port, responding “big deal” when questioned about the proposal.
However, he left the door ajar to future consideration, stressing that the matter was not closed. “Everything is under study,” Trump said. “We’ll study it. I study a lot of things and always make great decisions and they turn out to be correct.”
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but remains unrecognised by most of the international community. Israel’s recent recognition has triggered debate over whether other allies might follow suit, a prospect Trump’s comments suggest is not imminent for the United States.
