Iceland's Foreign Ministry summoned U.S. Ambassador to Iceland, Marc Harris, on Tuesday to protest a map that depicted an expanded United States, which included Iceland. Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrín Gunnarsdóttir called the map "wholly inappropriate" and "a bad joke."
“There is nothing funny or normal about making fun of the sovereignty of states,” Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir told reporters. She added that people within the U.S. administration had advised her not to take the current U.S. President literally, but stressed that Iceland is a sovereign, independent state.
Harris had previously joked about an American takeover of Iceland. In January, he was overheard on the House floor suggesting Iceland could become the 52nd state, with himself as governor. At the time, Iceland’s foreign ministry was investigating the matter. Harris later apologized for the January remarks, telling Arctic Today that they were not serious and were made in a joking context with acquaintances.
Despite the ambassador's previous jesting, Icelandic officials stated they are taking the matter seriously and are stressing Iceland's sovereignty.