Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, has strongly criticized the planned visit of Second Lady Usha Vance and prominent members of the Trump administration.
Following the announcement of the upcoming visit by Second Lady Usha Vance and high-ranking U.S. officials to Greenland on Thursday, the Prime Minister has voiced strong objections. This visit comes as the Trump administration actively seeks greater influence over the autonomous Danish territory and its resources.
Mute B. Egede characterized the planned trip – which reportedly includes National Security Adviser Michael Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright – as “very aggressive American pressure” with the aim of “taking over our country over our heads.”
In a recent interview with the local newspaper Sermitsiaq, Egede expressed his disappointment with the level of support from Western nations, stating, “Our allies in the international community feel like hiding in a small corner and almost whisper their support, which has no effect.”
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of the Demokraatit party, which recently achieved victory in parliamentary elections, described the scheduling of the visit during ongoing coalition talks as a sign of disrespect.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that her government views the trip in light of the Trump administration’s expressed interest in Greenland, adding that Denmark’s collaboration with the U.S. is dependent on respecting “the fundamental rules of sovereignty.”
According to her office’s announcement, Vice President J.D. Vance’s wife will be accompanied by her son and a delegation of officials on a trip to Greenland to tour historical sites and attend a dog race. The announcement also stated that participants “are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity.”
Members of the Trump administration will follow their own agenda, including a visit to the Pentagon’s Pituffik Space Base. Trump’s interest in Greenland is driven by its strategic location near the Arctic region and its potential abundance of natural resources.
The U.S. administration has previously questioned the sovereignty of Canada, Denmark, and Panama, claiming that American national interests necessitate control over their territories. With specific reference to Greenland, the Vice President stated in February that Copenhagen is “not doing its job” and “is not being a good ally” to Washington.
He further stated that if American interests require “more territorial interest in Greenland, that is what President Trump is going to do, because he doesn’t care about what the Europeans scream at us.”
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