Iceland summoned U.S. Ambassador Billy Long after President Donald Trump shared a social media map depicting Iceland, Greenland, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean under the American flag and labelled as part of the “United States of America.”
Iceland summoned U.S. Ambassador Billy Long after President Donald Trump shared a social media map depicting Iceland, Greenland, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean under the American flag and labelled as part of the “United States of America.” Iceland’s Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Gunnarsdottir reportedly told Long that the post was “completely inappropriate.”
The incident comes amid renewed tensions over Trump’s long-standing push for the United States to acquire Greenland, the semi autonomous territory of Denmark. Trump’s position has repeatedly raised concerns in Denmark and across Europe, particularly because the United States and Denmark are both NATO allies.
The timing was particularly sensitive. Trump’s post appeared shortly after the European Commission announced a €200 million investment in Greenland during President Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to the territory.
The episode highlights growing unease among European allies over U.S. territorial ambitions under Trump. Although the map itself may have been symbolic or provocative rather than a formal policy announcement, Iceland’s decision to summon the ambassador demonstrates how seriously such messaging is being interpreted.
Greenland is strategically important because of its location between North America and Europe and its position in the Arctic. Increased competition in the region involving the United States, Russia and China has made Greenland increasingly significant to Western security calculations.
