Icelanders reject reopening talks to join the EU despite Trump's Greenland threats

Supporters of the 'No' campaign display a banner during a rally against reopening Iceland's European Union accession negotiations in Reykjavik, Iceland, on August 27, 2026, two days ahead of a national referendum. (Photo by Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP via Getty Images)Jonathan Nackstrand | Afp | Getty ImagesIcelanders voted to reject resuming talks to join the European Union, as issues such as domestic control over fishing appeared to override geopolitical security concerns.Broadcaster RUV reported that 52.8% of voters rejected the government's push to reopen EU membership negotiations, while 47.2% voted in favor.The question put to the Nordic nation of nearly 400,000 was whether Iceland should resume accession negotiations with the European Union.A majority "yes" vote would have led to a negotiated agreement being put to a second referendum for Icelanders to accept or reject.The debate has taken on deeper significance in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's Arctic saber-rattling.But in the end, concern over the potential loss of control over its fishing industry and an erosion of national identity won out over how Iceland might be affected by geopolitical rivalries."The 'No' si...