Rubio Begins Three-Nation NATO Tour Amid Arctic Concerns
Secretary of State Marco Rubio began a three-country NATO tour in Iceland on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, with Greece and Portugal next and a Thursday return to Washington. He called Iceland a good friend and all three stops strong allies, saying the visit would advance a secure Arctic, stronger commercial and energy ties, and closer defense cooperation. Iceland is a NATO member with no standing army and lies 180 miles from Greenland. Last month Trump posted a social media map showing U.S. flag colors across North America to Greenland and Iceland. Iceland Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, set to meet Rubio on Tuesday, summoned U.S. Ambassador Billy Long and said the post was unacceptable. A Greenland agreement last month had eased Trump's territorial interest; Trump had also mistakenly referenced Iceland four times while discussing Greenland. Long, a former Missouri congressman, IRS commissioner and auctioneer, earlier apologized after thousands of Icelanders petitioned against his nomination over a 52nd-state joke. Rep. Gregory Meeks wrote Rubio seeking answers on allegations involving Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle; Rubio has called her an incredible advocate for the president's agenda and valued her pivotal work and leadership. Rubio gave no indication the trip would clarify broader Arctic or European policy.