US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has begun a three-nation tour of NATO allies with a visit to Iceland, where concerns over President Donald Trump’s ambitions in the Arctic remain despite a recent agreement that appears to have eased his push for greater control over neighbouring Greenland.
Rubio arrived in Iceland on Monday, Oct 5, ahead of meetings in Reykjavik on Tuesday. His itinerary also includes Greece and Portugal, with the secretary scheduled to return to Washington on Thursday.
The trip is intended to strengthen security, economic and energy cooperation with three European allies at a time of growing tensions over Arctic security and the future of NATO.
Iceland remains wary of Trump’s Arctic ambitions
Iceland, a NATO member without a standing military, has found itself unexpectedly drawn into the controversy surrounding Trump’s interest in Greenland.
Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire for the United States to gain control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO member Denmark. His comments have alarmed European allies and raised questions about whether Washington’s Arctic ambitions could create friction within NATO.
Iceland became particularly uneasy last month after Trump posted a map showing US flag colours stretching across North America and extending to both Greenland and Iceland.
The episode prompted Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir to summon US Ambassador Billy Long and make clear that the post was unacceptable.
Iceland is geographically close to Greenland — about 290km away — and occupies a strategically important position between North America and Europe.
Trump has also mistakenly referred to Iceland while discussing Greenland on several occasions, adding to concerns among some Icelanders about Washington’s intentions.
Rubio seeks to reassure Reykjavik
Rubio’s visit appeared designed in part to reassure Iceland that Washington views the country as a partner rather than a potential territorial target.
Speaking alongside Gunnarsdottir on Tuesday, Rubio stressed the importance of Iceland to the defence of the North Atlantic and Arctic regions.
He said Iceland’s geographical position makes it strategically important not only to European security but also to the defence of the United States.
Rubio said Washington was open to exploring greater cooperation with Reykjavik, including in response to military, economic and infrastructure-related threats in the High North.
He also emphasised that any expansion of US-Icelandic cooperation would be undertaken with Iceland’s consent.
The secretary pointed to Iceland’s role in allowing the US military to use its territory, airspace and surrounding waters as part of broader efforts to monitor activity and deter potential adversaries.
The two sides also highlighted economic and commercial cooperation, suggesting that the relationship is not being framed solely around military security.
A strategic location in the North Atlantic
Although Iceland does not maintain a conventional standing army, its location has long made it important to NATO’s North Atlantic defence strategy.
During the Cold War, th
