A planned visit by a high-profile U.S. delegation to Greenland this week has sparked sharp criticism from Greenlandic leaders, who view the trip as a political provocation amid renewed discussions about American annexation of the Arctic island.
The delegation, led by Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, includes White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Their itinerary features a visit to the U.S. military base at Pituffik and attendance at Greenland’s national dogsled race.
Greenland’s outgoing Prime Minister, Mute Egede, condemned the timing of the visit, stating that his caretaker government would not engage with the delegation. “The trust we once had in the U.S. as a close ally and partner has eroded,” Egede told local media outlet Sermitsiaq.
The visit comes in the wake of President Donald Trump’s renewed calls for U.S. control over Greenland, an idea he first proposed in 2019 and has revived since reclaiming the White House. His son, Donald Trump Jr., made a private visit to Greenland in January, fueling further speculation about American intentions.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of the pro-business Democrats party, which won Greenland’s parliamentary election earlier this month, also criticized the visit, calling for national unity. “We cannot allow ourselves to be drawn into geopolitical games we did not choose,” he said.
The White House, however, downplayed concerns. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes described the visit as “an opportunity to strengthen partnerships, respect Greenland’s self-determination, and promote economic cooperation.”
Heightened Security Measures
Security surrounding the delegation has been intense. Two U.S. military transport planes arrived in Nuuk on Sunday, delivering security teams and armored vehicles. Meanwhile, Denmark dispatched 60 additional police officers to the Greenlandic capital, according to reports from state broadcaster KNR.
During their stay, Waltz and Wright will tour Pituffik Space Base, a key U.S. military installation crucial to missile defense and Arctic operations. Later, they will join Vance at cultural sites and the dogsled race.
Vance, in a video shared by the U.S. consulate, framed the visit as a celebration of the longstanding “respect and cooperation” between the U.S. and Greenland.
Despite these assurances, concerns remain high. Greenland and Denmark have both reaffirmed their opposition to any American acquisition of the territory. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reiterated that any discussions with Washington would be conducted under strict respect for national sovereignty.
“Cooperation with the U.S. is important, but it must be based on fundamental principles of sovereignty,” Frederiksen said, emphasizing that both Denmark and Greenland’s future government must be involved in any negotiations regarding the island’s status.
