Iceland has begun to evaluate its long-term defense plans as a result of US President Donald Trump’s threats to overtake Greenland. Since it does not have its own army, Iceland relies on the United States and NATO for safety. About 74 % of Iceland‘s population thinks Trump’s involvement in Greenland and the Arctic poses a risk, according to a recent poll conducted by RUV. Before he became president, Trump has expressed interest in an annexation of Greenland. He has made it numerous times that the US could get the area or impose itself through financial coercion. Iceland and Denmark, two Nato supporters, have sincere opposition to the idea. According to a report from AFP, Icelandic member of parliament for the ruling Social Democrats,” We can easily put ourselves in Greenlanders ‘ shoes” Iceland, a North Atlantic area between the UK and Greenland with a community of 390, 000, has received no comments from the Trump presidency thus far. Trump constantly threatens Greenland, but he never mentions Iceland, according to Valur Ingimundarson, a teacher of history at the University of Iceland. He noted that Iceland, like Greenland, lacks the valuable minerals thought to exist beneath Greenland’s area, despite its strategic importance. Iceland and Greenland share one thing in common with the United States, despite this distinction. Through a Nato deal, the US has been in charge of Iceland‘s defense since 1951. The US maintained a significant defense center in Keflavik during World War II and the Cold War. Although the center was actually shut down in 2006, US troops have been stationed on a rotating basis, particularly after Russia’s 2014 conquest of Crimea.
Looking forward to boosting German relations:
Iceland believes it may begin fostering stronger security relations with Europe as a response to Trump’s changing policies because of the growing concerns over his unexpected plans. We need to include a” Plan B,” Ingimundarson said,” to develop a closer relationship with the EU.” The foreign ministry of Iceland has already stated that it anticipates stronger Euro partnerships in the upcoming years. Iceland would probably support a Western Nato if the US actually leaves. Iceland would be able to join the EU, which it is now not a part of, with ease. Iceland would not need to be an EU part if it sought to break away from the US, Ingimundarson said. After a financial crisis, Iceland began discussions to become a member of the Union in 2009, but they stalled in 2013. In 2027, there will be a vote on whether to resume those discussions. Joining the EU doesn’t really be about security. Ingimundarson noted that Iceland wants to maintain complete control over its abundant fishing waters, which are a crucial component of its market, and that it also cares about economic growth, low taxes with our biggest trading lovers, fisheries, and other things.
