Iceland and Norway Ponder EU Membership

Peter Zeihan 4 min

Iceland and Norway are reconsidering EU membership because the United States is acting as a predatory security guarantor demanding Greenland. The Nordic countries are shifting their strategic policy away from relying solely on the United States.

  • Donald Trump

Chapters

  1. 0:00

    The Nordic Security Dilemma

    Iceland and Norway are reconsidering EU membership because US demands for Greenland threaten their security. Iceland and Norway possess critical Arctic resources and deepwater ports that the US desires.

  2. 2:37

    The Shift in Nordic Mindset

    Fear of US predation is overriding previous concerns about EU costs and regulations.

Key points

  • 0:00

    The primary security guarantor threatening invasion changes the nature of the relationship.

  • 0:00

    Iceland and Norway are reconsidering EU membership due to US demands for Greenland.

  • 0:00

    The US requires Greenland to prevent Russian and Chinese entry into the Arctic.

  • 0:00

    Iceland and Norway hold critical minerals, resources, and deepwater ports needed by the US.

  • 0:00

    Iceland lacks a meaningful defense force due to its small population.

  • 0:00

    Norway and Iceland are debating EU membership for the first time at the parliamentary level.

  • 2:15

    The EU offers economic strength but lacks military decision-making power.

  • 2:37

    Even during the 2008 financial crisis, Iceland did not seriously consider joining the EU.

  • 2:37

    Northern Europe's firmest allies are now considering alternatives to US security guarantees.

Who and where

People · 1

  • Drawing of Donald Trump

    Donald Trump 1

    President of the United States (2017–2021; since 2025)

    Photo 1

1. Photo: Daniel Torok, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons · Wikidata · redrawn in our house style (Donald Trump)

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