Long is a former Republican congressman from Missouri whom Trump nominated to become the new U.S. envoy to Iceland, replacing Carrin Patman. In the wake of Long’s reported comments, Icelanders launched a petition urging Foreign Minister Katrín Gunnarsdóttir to reject him as ambassador. It currently has 2,000 signatures.
“These words of Billy Long, who Donald Trump has nominated as ambassador to Iceland, may have been said in half-hearted terms, but they are insulting to Iceland and Icelanders, who have had to fight for their freedom and have always been a friend of the United States,” the petition says.
“We want Þorgerður Katrín [Gunnarsdóttir] to reject Billy Long as ambassador to Iceland and call for the United States to nominate another man, who will show Iceland and Icelanders more respect,” it adds.
Long’s quip landed awkwardly amid diplomatic tensions over Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory that Trump is threatening to seize — potentially using military force — claiming that the U.S. “has to have Greenland for national security.”
Long did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday after he was heard making the remark.
European leaders are backing Greenlanders — who have repeatedly said they don’t want to be Americans — and are seeking a deal to head off a potential clash that Denmark has send would end the transatlantic NATO alliance.
Nicholas Wu contributed to this report.
This article has been updated.
