Marco Rubio opens NATO tour in Iceland amid Arctic unease over Trump

Marco Rubio began his three-country tour in Iceland as concerns over US Arctic ambitions linger. The visit underscores Washington's push for security and energy ties even as Trump's rhetoric strains alliances.

In Short

• Iceland remains uneasy after Trump's map post included Greenland and Iceland
• Foreign Secretary Gunnarsdottir summoned the US ambassador, calling the post unacceptable
• Ambassador Billy Long had earlier apologised for joking about Iceland's statehood

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio began a three-nation tour of NATO allies with a stop in Iceland on Tuesday, amid unease there over the Trump administration's Arctic intentions. The visit comes even after a deal was reached last month to ease President Donald Trump's designs on Greenland, the self-governing territory of NATO ally Denmark.

Rubio, who will also visit Greece and Portugal before returning to Washington on Thursday, has often been tasked with reassuring US partners after President Trump's remarks on allies, including repeated references to Canada as the 51st state and threats to take over Greenland. Before leaving Washington on Monday, Rubio gave no indication that his trip was aimed at clarifying the administration's strategy on the Arctic, NATO or Europe, but called all three countries he will visit "strong allies" important for protecting US national interests.

On social media, Rubio said his visit to Iceland was meant to "advance our shared priorities: a secure Arctic, stronger commercial and energy ties, and closer defence cooperation". He also described Iceland as "a good friend" and did not refer to any tension with the NATO member, which does not have an army. Before the Greenland deal, however, Iceland had featured at times in Trump's comments and social media complaints about NATO allies not doing enough to support the US.

Last month, Trump alarmed many in Iceland when he posted a map showing the colours of the US flag across all of North America and extending to Greenland and Iceland. In response, Iceland Foreign Secretary Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, who is due to meet Rubio on Tuesday, summoned US Ambassador Billy Long and said she made it clear that the post was unacceptable. Iceland, which is 180 miles, or 290 km, from Greenland, had already been on edge after Trump mistakenly named the country four times while speaking about Greenland.

Long has also drawn attention in Iceland. Before taking up his post in August, thousands of Icelanders signed a petition urging the prime minister to reject him after he joked earlier this year about Iceland becoming the 52nd US state and himself becoming governor. He later apologised for the remark. Long is not the first Trump ambassador to Iceland to trigger concern. During Trump's first term, ambassador Jeffrey Ross Gunter shocked many in Reykjavik by seeking to hire armed bodyguards, prompting complaints.

Rubio's next stop in Athens could bring another ambassador-related issue. Gregory Meeks, the senior Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said last week that he would investigate allegations of misconduct and impropriety by US ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle. In a letter to Rubio, Meeks said he wanted answers after allegations reported by The Wall Street Journal and would seek Guilfoyle's dismissal if the behaviour described in the report proved true.

The Journal reported that Guilfoyle told guests at a reception that the US could undermine the Greek government if it chose to, promoted the business interests of one Greek construction and energy company, and allowed its lobbyist into private diplomatic meetings. Some Greek opposition parties have called for an inquiry, although it remains unclear whether one will go ahead. Guilfoyle, a former Fox News host and California prosecutor once engaged to Trump's son Donald Jr, has denied wrongdoing, and Rubio has defended her, saying she "has been an incredible advocate for the president's agenda in Greece and across Europe". He added that he and Trump greatly value her "pivotal work and leadership", especially on energy issues. The Trump administration sees Greece as central to promoting and exporting US-produced liquefied natural gas to south-eastern and central Europe.

Rubio's trip to Iceland, Greece and Portugal brings together two strands of the administration's engagement with Europe: its effort to strengthen ties with allies on security and energy, and the diplomatic strain caused by remarks and controversies linked to Trump and his ambassadors.

With PTI Inputs

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