Greenland slams planned Trump delegation visit as ‘highly aggressive'
Greenland's prime minister has attacked a planned visit by a US delegation to the island as 'highly aggressive' and has called on the international community to respond.
Usha Vance, the wife of vice-president JD Vance and second lady, and Michael Waltz, the US national security adviser are among those travelling to Greenland, which Mr Trump has vowed to take over 'one way or the other'.
The Danish-owned, semi-autonomous territory of about 57,000 people is mineral-rich and strategically important in the Arctic region. Mr Trump has claimed its ownership is vital for US national security.
On Monday, Mute B Egede, Greenland's outgoing prime minister, said: 'It should be said clearly that our integrity and democracy must be respected without foreign interference.' He added that the visit 'cannot be seen as just a private visit'.
'What is the US national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us,' Mr Egede told local media. 'His mere presence in Greenland will no doubt fuel American belief in Trump's mission — and the pressure will increase.'
'We are now at a point where it can no longer be described as an innocent visit from a politician's spouse... the international community must now react.'
Mr Egede said every effort to be diplomatic with the US just 'bounces off Donald Trump and his administration in their mission to own and control Greenland'.
Mrs Vance will join a delegation of senior Trump administration officials travelling to the island on Thursday. It comes after Donald Trump Jr toured Greenland in January on a 'personal day trip'.
The timing of the trip has drawn criticism as Greenland's political parties are deep in coalition negotiations to form a new government after elections earlier this month.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who led his centre-Right Demokraatit party to victory in this month's election, has told Mr Trump that Greenland is 'not for sale'.
Commenting on the latest visit, Mr Nielsen said: 'The fact that the Americans are well aware we are in the middle of negotiations once again shows a lack of respect for the Greenlandic people.'
All of Greenland's major political parties support independence from Denmark but are divided over how quickly it should happen. According to polls, most Greenlanders support independence from Denmark, but not annexation by the US.
Credit: X/@RapidResponse47
The Greenlandic government, Naalakkersuisut, is in a caretaker period following the March 11 general election won by Mr Nielsen's pro-business party, which favours a gradual approach to independence from Denmark.
On Sunday, Mr Vance increased pressure on Denmark, suggesting it was not doing enough to guarantee security in the Arctic, where Russia and China are competing with the US for influence.
'Denmark's not doing its job, not being a good ally…if that means we need to take more territorial interest in Greenland that is what President Trump is going to do,' he said. 'He doesn't care about what the Europeans scream at us, he cares about putting the interests of American citizens first.'
Mette Frederiksen, the Danish prime minister, said: 'The visit from the United States cannot be seen in isolation from the public statements that have been made. This is something we take seriously.'
The White House said Mrs Vance and the delegation will visit historical sites, learn about Greenlandic heritage, and attend the Avannaata Qimussersua, Greenland's national dogsled race.'Mrs Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity, it added.'
A spokesman for Mr Waltz said: 'The United States has a vested security interest in the Arctic region,' adding: 'This is a visit to learn about Greenland, its culture, history and people.'
During a recent Oval Office meeting with Mark Rutte, the Nato secretary general, Mr Trump said: 'Denmark's very far away from Greenland. A boat landed there 200 years ago or something. And they say they have rights to it. I don't know if that's true. I don't think it is, actually.'
All five parties in Greenland's parliament issued a joint statement last week rejecting Mr Trump's remarks. Denmark has recognised Greenland's right to independence at a time of its choosing.
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