Trump's Greenland threats cast a shadow on Iceland's vote on EU membership talks
Icelandic voters are heading to the polls to decide whether to resume negotiations for European Union membership. The referendum is heavily influenced by concerns over national security and economic stability, particularly in light of recent geopolitical tensions involving the United States and Greenland.
Why it matters
The outcome could fundamentally alter Iceland's geopolitical alignment and economic policy for a generation.
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REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — Voters in Iceland went to the polls Saturday to decide whether the country should resume long-stalled negotiations to become a member of the European Union, in the shadow of U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to control nearby Greenland.
The yes-or-no referendum question is simple enough for the 265,000 or so eligible voters: Should Iceland resume accession negotiations with the European Union ?
A yes vote would trigger negotiations with the EU’s executive branch, the European Commission, covering 35 areas, from the economy to human rights. Some supporters believe the European Union could offer protections if Trump ever made similar threats against Iceland. They also see economic stability in joining the bloc.
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