Iceland hits back, summons US ambassador over Trump controversial map

Iceland has fired back over the controversial map posted by President Donald Trump on social media showing the island and other countries covered by the US flag.

In response, Iceland’s foreign ministry summoned the US ambassador, Billy Long, on Monday and logged its opposition regarding the controversial map, as reported by RUV, the local state media.

According to the Foreign minister, Thorgerdur Gunnarsdottir, “The position was clearly expressed and the post was completely inappropriate.”

The diplomatic row started over a map which showed the United States, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean covered by the US flag, with the entire landmass labelled "United States of America".

Trump's post came hours after the European Commission unveiled a €200 million investment in Greenland during a ​two-day visit by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The US State Department, ​the US embassies in Copenhagen and Reykjavik, and the US consulate in Nuuk did not respond yet.

The post came after Iceland voted against resuming EU membership talks in the referendum. It is reported that Iceland rejected these talks over Trump’s designs on Greenland and his push to annex the Arctic territory.

While some advocates for opening talks pointed to wavering US commitment to justify strengthening EU relations, analysts noted that domestic economic pressures ultimately determined the outcome.