US Ambassador Nominee to Iceland Apologizes for Joking About Country Becoming 52nd State
The US President’s nominee for ambassador to Iceland, Billy Long, has apologized for a remark suggesting the island nation could become the 52nd US state with himself as governor. The comment, made on Tuesday, was intended as humor but has sparked criticism in NATO member Iceland. Long told Arctic Today that his statement was a lighthearted response to a separate joke and that he apologizes if anyone took offense.
The incident comes as US President Donald Trump’s statements regarding Greenland have escalated in recent weeks. Trump has expressed interest in acquiring the Danish territory, hinting at potentially taking the North Atlantic island by force. Long’s comment has been met with criticism in Iceland, with the Foreign Ministry contacting the US Embassy in Reykjavík seeking clarification. A petition calling on Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir to reject Long as ambassador has also been launched, garnering over 2,000 signatures.
Trump’s interest in Greenland is part of his Golden Dome missile defense shield plan, which he claims requires control of the world’s largest island. The US President has argued that NATO would become more formidable and effective with Greenland under US control, but this claim has been disputed by several Western European countries, including Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and the Netherlands. These countries have announced plans to send additional military personnel to the island to prepare for larger drills later this year.
Greenland, under Denmark’s authority, has pushed back against US annexation threats, with Copenhagen bolstering its military presence on the island. Russia and China have also disputed Trump’s claim that they would seek to acquire Greenland if the US does not. Officials in Greenland have challenged this assertion, and the incident has highlighted tensions between the US and its NATO allies over the issue.
The controversy surrounding Long’s comment and Trump’s statements on Greenland has significant implications for international relations and regional security. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the US and its allies will navigate these complex issues. The US Embassy in Reykjavík has been contacted for clarification, and the Icelandic government is expected to respond to the petition calling for Long’s rejection as ambassador.
