Greenlandic leaders have sharply criticised the planned visit of a high-profile U.S. delegation to the semi-autonomous Danish territory, which President Donald Trump has previously suggested the U.S. should annex.
The delegation, set to visit later this week, includes Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, White House national security adviser Mike Waltz, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
The visit is scheduled to include a trip to the U.S. military base at Pituffik and attendance at Greenland’s national dogsled race.
Greenland’s outgoing Prime Minister Mute Egede described the visit as a “provocation” and confirmed that his caretaker government would not meet with the American delegation.
In comments to local newspaper Sermitsiaq, Egede expressed frustration, stating, “Until recently, we could trust the Americans, who were our allies and friends, and with whom we enjoyed working closely. But that time is over.”
Greenland is currently in a caretaker government period following a general election on March 11, which was won by the pro-business Democrats.
The party advocates for a more gradual approach to the island’s independence from Denmark.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of the Democrats, also expressed concern over the timing of the U.S. visit, which comes during coalition talks and ahead of upcoming municipal elections.
He accused the delegation of showing a “lack of respect for the Greenlandic people.”
The U.S. delegation, led by Vance, is expected to visit Pituffik, the U.S. military base in Greenland, where they will receive briefings from American service members.
Following that, the group will tour historical sites and attend the national dogsled race, an event that the U.S. sponsors.
White House National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes downplayed any tensions, stating, “This is a visit to learn about Greenland, its culture, history, and people, and to attend a dogsled race the United States is proud to sponsor, plain and simple.”
However, the visit comes against the backdrop of controversial remarks from President Trump, who has made the annexation of Greenland a repeated talking point since his second term began.
Trump has suggested that Greenland, with its strategic location and rich mineral resources, could be beneficial to the U.S. The island’s position along the shortest route from Europe to North America is seen as crucial for U.S. ballistic missile defence systems.
Both the governments of Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly voiced opposition to Trump’s proposal. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded to news of the visit, stressing that “this is something we take seriously.”
While Denmark is open to cooperation with the U.S., she emphasised that such cooperation must adhere to the “fundamental rules of sovereignty.”
Frederiksen added that any discussions regarding Greenland would be conducted in close coordination with both Denmark and Greenland’s future government.
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