Vice President JD Vance’s Planned Visit to Greenland Amid Controversy
Eagle Pass, Texas: US Vice President JD Vance is set to embark on a trip to Greenland this Friday, accompanying his wife, Usha Vance, on a visit that intensifies scrutiny from former President Donald Trump, who has been vocal about his desire for US control over the self-governing Danish territory.
Vance, an ardent supporter of Trump’s foreign policy agenda, expressed plans to meet with members of the US Space Force stationed in Greenland while also assessing the territory’s security situation. In a recent video announcement, he stated, “There was so much excitement surrounding Usha’s visit that I didn’t want her to have all the fun alone, so I’m joining her on this adventure.”
His declaration followed a critical remark from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who called Usha Vance’s visit "unacceptable pressure" on both Greenland and Denmark.
Earlier, the White House disclosed that Usha Vance would be in Greenland from Thursday to Saturday, primarily to attend a national dogsled race in Sisimiut, located on the northwest coast of Greenland.
Since reclaiming the presidency in January, Trump has maintained that he wishes for the United States to assume control over Greenland, citing national security as the main justification, and he hasn’t excluded the possibility of using force to achieve this goal. In his video, Vance articulated concerns about other nations potentially using Greenland as a platform to "threaten the United States, Canada, and the people of Greenland."
Trump recently even suggested the idea of making Canada the "51st state," further fueling the ongoing debate over territorial claims in North America.
“On behalf of President Trump, we aim to enhance the security of the Greenlandic people,” Vance remarked. He further added that both US and Danish leaders have “overlooked Greenland for far too long,” and emphasized a shift towards a more proactive approach regarding the territory’s security.
Greenland’s outgoing Prime Minister Mute Egede noted that US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz is also scheduled to visit Greenland this week, along with reports that US Energy Secretary Chris Wright will join the delegation.
The dogsled race, largely funded by the US Consulate in Nuuk, has stirred negative reactions from politicians in both Denmark and Greenland. Prime Minister Frederiksen stated to reporters, “You can’t conduct a private visit with official representatives of another country.”
The trip occurs during a politically sensitive period in Greenland, where parties continue to negotiate the formation of a new coalition government after elections held on March 11. Greenland, a self-governing territory seeking greater autonomy from Denmark, is rich in untapped mineral and oil resources, though exploration for oil and uranium remains banned.
Geographically, Greenland is strategically located between North America and Europe, making it attractive amid increasing interest from the US, China, and Russia in Arctic matters, especially as climate change has opened new sea lanes.
