Iceland, Rattled by Trump, Weighs Joining the E.U.

Iceland is weighing membership in the European Union, potentially launching exploratory talks with a referendum this summer, amid concerns over security and its fishing industry. Although geographically in Europe, Iceland remains outside the EU, a status that has long preserved its independence and control over fisheries. The Greenland-related tensions and a March EU defense partnership have intensified debate about the bloc’s value, with some arguing for stability and others fearing sovereignty losses. Iceland’s lack of a standing army underpins the discussion, as locals like fishermen near Sandgerdi reflect on quotas, market access, and the Arctic’s strategic balance in a shifting transatlantic landscape.