President Donald Trump’s social media post depicting Iceland and other countries under the American flag has triggered a diplomatic backlash, with Reykjavik summoning the U.S. ambassador to protest the image.
Iceland Condemns Trump Map
Trump posted a map on Truth Social Monday showing the U.S., Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean covered by the American flag and labeled “United States of America.” He did not explain the image.
On Tuesday, Icelandic Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir summoned U.S. Ambassador Billy Long and conveyed that the post was “entirely inappropriate,” according to Icelandic public broadcaster RÚV.
Gunnarsdóttir later called the message “absurd” and said it was insulting to Icelanders, Greenlanders and Canadians, reported The Hill.
“There is nothing funny or normal about making fun of the sovereignty of states,” she said. “If this is supposed to be a joke, then it is a bad joke.”
The map also drew criticism from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who reiterated Greenland’s opposition to becoming part of the United States.
“The Greenlandic government and the Greenlandic people have said again and again that they do not want to be American,” Frederiksen said.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also pushed back, saying Mexico “is neither nor will be a colony or protectorate of any foreign country.”
Trump’s Greenland Push
Earlier, Trump had renewed his push to bring Greenland under U.S. control, citing national security and the island’s strategic Arctic location and resources.
Denmark and Greenland had rejected the proposal, with Frederiksen saying, “Greenland is, of course, not for sale.”
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also said the island would choose Denmark over the U.S. if forced to pick. Most Greenlanders had opposed becoming part of the United States.
Trump Renewed 51st State Push
Trump repeatedly suggested that Canada could become the 51st U.S. state, a proposal Canadian leaders had consistently rejected.
As trade tensions escalated, Trump criticized Canada for wanting “the benefits of being a state, without being one.” He also previously referred to Prime Minister Mark Carney as the “future Governor of Canada.”
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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