Many Canadians were unhappy when U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly suggested making Canada the 51st state. Trump’s previous remarks about acquiring Greenland, once seen as a joke, are now being viewed as a genuine threat.
When Trump’s nominee for U.S. ambassador to Iceland humorously proposed that Iceland should be the 52nd state with him as governor, the idea did not sit well with many. A petition circulating is urging Iceland’s foreign minister to oppose William Long’s appointment as ambassador due to the offensive nature of the remarks.
Iceland MP Sigmar Guðmundsson expressed dismay at the jokes, emphasizing the historical significance of Iceland’s fight for independence and its friendship with the U.S. He called for Foreign Minister Katrín Gunnarsdóttir to reject Long’s nomination, suggesting that a nominee showing more respect towards Iceland should be selected instead.
The Icelandic foreign ministry confirmed contacting the U.S. Embassy in Iceland to verify the alleged comments. Despite attempts to reach out for comments, responses from the U.S. State Department, U.S. Embassy in Iceland, and Iceland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs are pending.
Trump officially nominated Long, a former U.S. House of Representatives member for Missouri, as Iceland’s ambassador. Long’s jest about Iceland becoming the 52nd state and him being governor stirred immediate reactions in Reykjavík, prompting thousands to sign the petition against his nomination.
In response to the backlash, Long apologized, clarifying that his comments were made in jest during a casual conversation and were not meant seriously. Guðmundsson criticized the jokes, highlighting a growing disrespect from the U.S. towards the sovereignty of smaller nations like Iceland.
Trump’s repeated threats to claim Greenland and his insistence on U.S. control over the island have raised tensions. He emphasized the importance of Greenland for U.S. security and hinted at possible tariffs on countries not supporting his plans. European nations deployed troops to Greenland at Denmark’s request, reflecting the escalating situation in the region.
While Iceland’s cooperation with the U.S. is described as excellent, concerns remain regarding potential future actions. Iceland’s Foreign Minister Gunnarsdóttir emphasized the strong relationship with the U.S., dismissing immediate fears of being the next target for territorial disputes.