A diplomatic storm has erupted in Iceland following controversial remarks by Donald Trump's nominee for US ambassador, who reportedly joked the Nordic nation should become the '52nd state' of America.
Petition and swift backlash
Thousands of Icelanders have signed a petition calling on their foreign minister, Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, to reject the nomination of Billy Long, a former US representative for Missouri. The petition garnered over 3,200 signatures within hours of its launch.
The controversy began when the news outlet Politico reported that Long had made the quip to colleagues. "We heard that former Rep Billy Long, Trump's nominee for ambassador to Iceland, joked to members on the floor last night that Iceland will be the 52nd state and he'll be governor," the publication stated in its morning newsletter on Wednesday.
The Icelandic foreign ministry reacted swiftly, confirming it had contacted the US embassy in Reykjavík to seek clarification on the alleged comments.
Apology and context of 'jest'
Long subsequently apologised for the remarks in an interview with Arctic Today, a regional news website. He claimed the comments were made in jest during a conversation where others were joking about Jeff Landry, Trump's special envoy to Greenland.
"There was nothing serious about that," Long was quoted as saying. "I was with some people, who I hadn't met for three years, and they were kidding about Jeff Landry being governor of Greenland and they started joking about me... if anyone took offence to it, then I apologise."
He added that he looked forward to working with the people of Iceland and reiterated the comments were not meant to be taken seriously.
Serious concerns over sovereignty
However, Icelandic politicians have expressed deep concern, particularly given the concurrent tensions over US interest in Greenland. The remarks surfaced just hours before top officials from Greenland and Denmark were due to meet with US representatives, partly to address Trump's past threats regarding the Arctic island.
Sigmar Guðmundsson, an MP from the centrist Liberal Reform party, described the joke as "not a particularly funny" one. He told the Icelandic newspaper Morgunblaðið that the situation was "extremely serious for a small country like Iceland."
"We must realise that all the security arguments that the Americans cite regarding Greenland also apply to Iceland," Guðmundsson stated, highlighting the strategic location of both islands. He interpreted the incident as a sign of growing disrespect in the US towards the sovereignty of small states.
The petition supporting Long's rejection argued that the words, "may have been said in jest," but were "offensive to Iceland and the Icelandic people, who have had to fight for their freedom and have always been a friend to the United States." It calls for the US to nominate a candidate who shows greater respect.
