US Vice President JD Vance will travel to Greenland on Friday, joining his wife, Usha Vance, on a visit that has sparked criticism from officials in the Danish territory.
The trip comes amid renewed tensions over former President Donald Trump’s past comments about acquiring the island.
According to the White House, the Vances will visit Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, where the vice president will receive a briefing on Arctic security and meet with US military personnel stationed there. Usha Vance had originally planned a cultural visit to the island before her husband decided to accompany her.
The trip follows statements from Trump and his allies about strengthening US security interests in Greenland. Trump’s National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz, was also set to visit the island separately this week, though it remains unclear if he will proceed with his plans.
In a video posted on social media platform X, JD Vance portrayed the visit as a strategic move to bolster security in the Arctic, stating that “a lot of other countries have threatened Greenland” and that the US has neglected the territory for “far too long.” He added that the Trump administration aims to “reinvigorate the security of the people of Greenland.”
However, Greenlandic officials have pushed back, calling the visits “disrespectful.” The island, the world’s largest, has been under Danish control for roughly 300 years. While it manages its own domestic affairs, Copenhagen oversees its foreign and defense policies.
Dr. Dwayne Ryan Menezes, founder of the London-based Polar Research and Policy Initiative, criticized the timing and nature of the visit. He noted that it is “highly unusual” for high-ranking US officials to visit Greenland without an invitation, particularly so soon after a national election in the country. He also condemned the aggressive US stance, warning that Trump’s past remarks about acquiring Greenland have alienated the local population.
“Disrespecting the people of Greenland by saying the US will acquire it ‘one way or the other’ is unhelpful and counterproductive as a tactic,” Menezes said.
Despite the renewed US interest, recent polls indicate that nearly 80% of Greenlanders support independence from Denmark. An even larger majority has rejected the idea of Greenland becoming part of the United States.
The visits by Vance and Waltz highlight Washington’s ongoing strategic interest in Greenland, particularly as Arctic security gains prominence in global geopolitics. However, the backlash from local officials suggests that any future US engagement with Greenland may require a more diplomatic approach.
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