Greenland’s Prime Minister has unleashed on the Trump administration after learning that second lady Usha Vance’s friendly visit would be preceded by a delegation of senior officials.
The administration touted Vance’s three-day visit to Greenland on Sunday, revealing she would travel with her son from Thursday to Saturday to explore historical and cultural sites and watch the annual dogsled race.
But less was revealed about a visit led by national security advisor Mike Waltz, which is reportedly scheduled to take place earlier in the week.
When Greenland’s prime minister Mute B. Egede learned about the back-to-back trips, he was incensed and raged in a statement to local media.
‘We are now at a level where it can in no way be characterized as a harmless visit from a politician’s wife,’ he said.
‘What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us.
‘He is Trump’s confidential and closest advisor, and his presence in Greenland alone will certainly make the Americans believe in Trump’s mission, and the pressure will increase after the visit.’
Trump has made no secret of his ambition to annex Greenland, which has long been linked to Denmark but has asserted a level of independence.
The administration touted Vance’s three-day visit to Greenland on Sunday, revealing she would travel with her son from Thursday to Saturday to explore historical and cultural sites and watch the annual dogsled race
When Greenland’s prime minister Mute B. Egede learned about the back-to-back trips, he was incensed and raged in a statement to local media
He sent his son Don Jr. in the wake of his election victory to scope out the world’s largest island, and most recently questioned Denmark’s authority over the land.
‘A boat landed there 200 years ago or something. And they say they have rights to it,’ Trump said. ‘I don’t know if that’s true. I don’t think it is, actually.’
Speaking of Greenland, he added: ‘I think we’re going to get it. One way or the other, we’re going to get it.’
In response, all five parties in Greenland’s parliament issued a joint statement slamming the remarks.
While Don Jr. maintained that locals ‘love America’ and ‘love Trump’, relations appear to have plunged to new lows amid the administration’s ‘highly aggressive’ tactics to merge Greenland with the United States.
The prime minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, also issued a statement about the upcoming trips.
‘The visit from the United States cannot be seen in isolation from the public statements that have been made,’ Ms. Frederiksen said. ‘This is something we take seriously.’
Waltz will be joined by energy secretary Chris Wright, with the duo reportedly scheduled to visit a military base, according to two unnamed sources.
‘We are now at a level where it can in no way be characterized as a harmless visit from a politician’s wife,’ Greenland’s prime minister said. Usha Vance is taking her son with her on the trip
Trump has made no secret of his ambition to annex Greenland, which has long been linked to Denmark but has asserted a level of independence
Less was revealed about a delegation led by national security advisor Mike Waltz, which is reportedly scheduled to take place earlier in the week
A spokesman for Waltz said the visit was for gathering information and exploring local culture.
‘The United States has a vested security interest in the Arctic region, and it should not be a surprise the national security adviser and secretary of energy are visiting a U.S. space base,’ National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes told the New York Times.
He said the duo would ‘get firsthand briefings from our service members on the ground.
‘We also look forward to experiencing Greenland’s famous hospitality and are confident that this visit presents an opportunity to build on partnerships that respects Greenland’s self-determination and advances economic cooperation.
‘This is a visit to learn about Greenland, its culture, history and people.’
In a quick video on the upcoming trip posted to social media, Usha Vance said she hopes the U.S.-Greenland relationship ‘will only grow stronger’ in the future.
She and her son will watch the Avannaata Qimussersu dog sled race during their trip. The US is a sponsor of the race where 444 dogs and 37 mushers will compete.
‘I look forward to meeting many of you soon and to learning from you about your beautiful land, culture and traditions,’ she said.
Donald Trump Jr. visited Nuuk, Greenland in January with a few of President Donald Trump’s close allies
Greenland is rich in minerals and has a strategic location in the Arctic, although an inhospitable climate
According to local media, US officials reached out to Malik Berthelsen, the mayor of Qeqqata in Greenland, to set up a visit with Vance.
Reports state Berthelsen ‘declined the request’, citing ongoing election campaigning.
‘I can confirm that they (an American delegation, ed.) have approached me and wanted to meet,’ Berthelsen told TV2 Denmark.
Greenland is rich with natural resources and is a strategic location important for military and national security purposes in the arctic region.
With a land mass of 836,330 square miles and a population of only 55,775 as of March 9, 2025, Greenland is the least densely populated country in the world.
