Greenland’s political leaders have strongly criticized upcoming high-profile U.S. visits following President Donald Trump’s renewed remarks about taking over the island.
Second Lady Usha Vance is set to visit Greenland this week for a cultural tour, while National Security Adviser Mike Waltz is also expected to travel there with Energy Secretary Chris Wright. However, outgoing Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede has described the visits as aggressive and noted that neither official was invited for meetings. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the likely next leader of Greenland, accused the U.S. of showing disrespect toward the island’s population.
U.S. Interest in Greenland
Greenland, the world’s largest island, has been under Danish control for about 300 years. While it manages its domestic affairs, foreign and defense policies remain under Copenhagen’s authority. The U.S. has long maintained a strategic interest in Greenland and has operated a military base on the island since World War II. Trump has also expressed interest in Greenland’s rare earth minerals, and his son, Donald Trump Jr., visited the island before his father’s inauguration in January.
Announcing Vance’s visit, the White House stated that she would attend Greenland’s national dogsled race, the Avannaata Qimussersu, and visit historical sites to “celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity.” Meanwhile, Waltz’s trip was confirmed by a source speaking to CBS News, with reports suggesting he would arrive before Vance.
Egede viewed Waltz’s visit as a deliberate provocation. “What is the security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to show a demonstration of power to us,” he told Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq. Nielsen echoed these concerns, saying the visits demonstrated a lack of respect for Greenlanders.
Trump’s Push for U.S. Control
The tensions follow Trump’s recent remarks about Greenland’s future. In a conversation with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte earlier this month, Trump implied that he might pursue U.S. control over Greenland with NATO’s backing. “You know, Mark, we need that for international security… we have a lot of our favorite players cruising around the coast, and we have to be careful,” he said. “We’ll be talking to you.” When asked about the possibility of annexation, Trump responded, “I think that will happen.”
Greenland’s political parties swiftly condemned Trump’s statements, calling them “unacceptable behavior.” The issue became central to Greenland’s recent elections, in which Egede’s governing Inuit Ataqatigiit party lost unexpectedly to Nielsen’s Democratic party, which advocates for gradual independence from Denmark.
In a speech to the U.S. Congress earlier this month, Trump claimed he supported Greenland’s right to self-determination, stating, “If you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America.” However, polls show that while nearly 80% of Greenlanders favor independence from Denmark, an even larger majority opposes becoming part of the U.S.