Iceland summoned the U.S. ambassador after former President Donald Trump shared a map on social media that appeared to show Iceland and several other countries encompassed by the American flag. Trump posted the image on Truth Social on Monday, with the U.S., Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean all depicted under the stars and stripes, with the entire landmass labeled "United States of America."
Iceland's foreign minister described the post as "completely inappropriate." The U.S. ambassador to Iceland, Billy Long, was called in for a formal meeting to express displeasure over the action, according to local media reports. Summoning an ambassador typically signifies a formal diplomatic protest.
This incident follows a pattern of Trump's territorial statements that have previously strained relations with neighboring countries. In the past, Trump has expressed interest in acquiring Greenland and suggested making Canada the 51st state. The map post, which lacked a caption, was followed by further posts renaming the U.S. state of New Mexico as "New America."
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also commented on the map, stating that the position of Greenland's government and people had been made clear. "The Greenlandic government and the Greenlandic people have said again and again that they do not want to be American," she told Danish news agency Ritzau. "I hope no one is in any doubt about that, either in the United States or the rest of the world."
Trump's interest in Greenland has been a recurring theme since he took office, with claims that the island is essential for U.S. national security. This post came shortly after the European Commission announced a €200 million investment in Greenland, focusing on education, internet connectivity, raw materials, and hydropower energy, during a visit by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Frederiksen.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to Trump's map post, asserting on social media that Mexico "is neither nor will be a colony or protectorate of any foreign country," and affirming that the nation is "Proudly we are a free, independent, and sovereign nation."