For subscribers

News analysis

Trump’s Greenland threat pushes Iceland closer to EU integration

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox

Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir’s coalition government had planned to hold a referendum on the country’s possible European Union membership at some point in 2027.

Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir’s coalition government had planned to hold a referendum on the country’s possible European Union membership at some point in 2027.

PHOTO: AFP

Google Preferred Source badge
  • Donald Trump's unfulfilled quest for Greenland has paradoxically pushed neighbouring Iceland to move closer to possible European Union membership.
  • Iceland holds vital strategic importance in the "GIUK Gap", crucial for NATO in blocking Russian submarine access to the Atlantic, US General Christopher Cavoli warns.
  • Driven by recent events, Iceland is now expediting a referendum on EU membership. Despite potential fishery issues, Iceland offers significant strategic gains for Europe.

AI generated

US President Donald Trump is far from achieving his declared objective of acquiring Greenland, the self-governing Arctic territory that is part of Denmark, an EU member-state.

Still,

Mr Trump’s threats to use force in his quest for Greenland

may have succeeded in persuading Iceland, a neighbouring country in the North Atlantic, to get closer to the EU.

See more on