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Iceland summons US envoy over Trump's territorial map claim

Iceland has called in the US ambassador following US President Donald Trump's posting of a map that depicted the Nordic island as part of American territory. The controversial map showed North America with multiple neighbouring territories coloured in US flag colours.

LSN Malaysia · 8 September 2026

Iceland summons US envoy over Trump's territorial map claim

Iceland's foreign ministry summoned the American ambassador on Wednesday in response to Trump's social media post featuring a map that included the island nation within US borders. The map displayed Canada, Greenland, Mexico, portions of Central America, the Caribbean and Iceland all marked with American flag colours, prompting swift diplomatic action from Reykjavik.

The Icelandic government's decision to formally call in the US ambassador underscores the seriousness with which the Nordic nation views the territorial representation. Such summons typically signal a country's official displeasure with diplomatic conduct or statements from another nation.

Trump's map has drawn international attention and raised questions about the underlying intent behind the imagery. While some analysts have characterised it as provocative posturing, others view it as part of broader discussions about US strategic interests in the Arctic and North Atlantic regions.

The incident marks one of several diplomatic tensions involving Trump's public statements regarding international borders and territorial matters. Iceland, a NATO member and strategic partner of the United States, has made clear through its formal response that such territorial claims or suggestions are unacceptable to the country's government.