Trump’s US Expansion Map Sparks Row As Iceland Summons American Ambassador

Trump’s US expansion map has sparked a diplomatic row with Iceland after President Donald Trump shared a Truth Social image showing Iceland and several other countries and territories covered by the American flag.

The map depicts the United States, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean under the US flag, with the entire area labelled “United States of America”. Trump posted the image without explanation.

Iceland’s Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir summoned US Ambassador Billy Long, who formally took up his post only last month. Iceland told him the post was “completely inappropriate”. The US State Department, US embassies in Copenhagen and Reykjavik and the US consulate in Nuuk did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The image has renewed attention on Trump’s longstanding push for US control of Greenland, the semi autonomous Danish territory. His campaign has strained relations with Denmark and raised concerns across Europe. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Greenland’s government and people have repeatedly made clear that they do not want to become American.

The controversy also recalls an earlier episode involving Long. Before becoming ambassador, he apologised after joking that Iceland should become the 52nd US state and that he could serve as its governor. Trump himself also repeatedly confused Greenland with Iceland during a January speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos while discussing his Greenland ambitions.

Iceland’s reaction comes shortly after voters rejected reopening European Union membership talks, with 52.8% voting against and 47.2% in favour. Concerns about US reliability and Trump’s Greenland ambitions formed part of the backdrop, although analysts said domestic economic issues were ultimately more decisive.

The Trump post also came just hours after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a €200 million investment package for Greenland, covering areas including connectivity, clean energy, critical raw materials, education, fisheries, housing and sustainable tourism. The EU, Greenland and Denmark also strengthened their partnership through a joint declaration.

Experts have viewed Trump’s map as political messaging rather than a formal territorial claim. However, its depiction of sovereign countries and territories under the American flag has intensified concerns over his expansionist rhetoric and its impact on US relations with European allies.