Trump’s Arctic saber-rattling boosts Iceland’s pro-EU campaign

Pro-EU campaigners in Iceland have found themselves with a prime opponent in the form of U.S. President Donald Trump, whose threats to annex Greenland have created a geopolitical issue that could sway voters ahead of the upcoming referendum. This issue, coupled with concerns over Russia and China's ambitions for Arctic resources, has made questions about global alliances particularly pertinent for the 270,000 Icelandic voters heading to the polls.

Former Mayor Dagur Eggertsson, a prominent figure in the pro-EU "Yes" campaign, said that Trump's threats to Greenland weigh heavily on voters' minds and are sparking debate about Iceland's strategic position. Even though Trump has softened his stance on Greenland since early 2021, he still asserted at a NATO summit that the territory should be controlled by the U.S. rather than Denmark.

Reykjavík's former mayor emphasized that this issue is not settled and that Trump's comments have sparked widespread concern. The key theme behind the referendum is sovereignty, but polls show the vote is incredibly close, with the "Yes" camp holding a narrow advantage of just 51.5 percent support. Pro-EU advocates argue that the EU could infringe on Icelandic sovereignty, particularly in crucial areas like fisheries and farming policy.