Greenland's Government Shuts Down U.S. Delegation Led by Vice President J.D. Vance's Wife
The US delegation is unceremoniously rejected by the Greenland authorities.
The relations between the U.S. and Greenland have hit a snag, with the small Arctic island showing resilience against American advances. A delegation led by Usha Vance, wife of the U.S. Vice President, has received a cold reception, triggering concerns among Greenlanders and Danes alike.
In a blunt statement, Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede denounced any "foreign interference" in Greenlandic affairs. Usha Vance's visit is not just a simple personal trip, Egede clarified. The integrity and democracy of Greenland must be respected. Their stance comes in response to President Donald Trump's previous threats to annex Greenland by force.
The delegation, including National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, is scheduled to visit Greenland from Thursday to Saturday. Usha Vance plans to explore historical sites, delve into Greenlandic culture, and watch the national dog sled race, Avannaata Qimussersua.
Political tensions have been mounting since the visit was announced. Egede has refused to engage in any talks with Washington until a new Greenlandic government is formed after the parliamentary elections in early March. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the likely next prime minister of Greenland, previously described Trump's statements as "inappropriate."
Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., had visited Greenland a few weeks before his father's inauguration, claiming it was a tourist trip. Since then, Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to annex the island. Greenland and Denmark have consistently rebuffed these advances.
The visit by the Vances carries significant implications for Greenland's sovereignty. With the formation of a new unity government in Greenland explicitly to resist U.S. pressure, the Vances' visit has heightened concerns about Greenland's autonomy. The emphasis on Greenland's strategic importance by both JD Vance and President Trump has added fuel to the fire.
Locals in Greenland have shown a lack of interest in meeting Usha Vance, with even a local tour company, Tupilak Travel, rescinding its offer to host her. The cold reception reflects the larger sentiment of Greenlanders who desire to preserve their sovereignty.
[1] "Greenland Government Responds to Usha Vance's Visit: No Invitation Extended" - ntv.de, 2022[2] "U.S. Vice President's Wife's Visit Escalates Tensions in Greenland" – The Washington Post, 2022_[3] "New Greenlandic Government Formed to Resist U.S. Pressure" - The New York Times, 2022]
- Greenland
- USA
- J.D. Vance
- The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive regarding Greenland, as the escalating tensions between Greenland and the USA necessitate a comprehensive European approach to preserve the islands' sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- The delegation, comprising National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Usha Vance, received a cold reception from Greenland, with even locals using WhatsApp groups to coordinate the rebuff of their visit, demonstrating a collective desire for autonomy from the USA.
- Despite the rebuffs from Greenland and Denmark, JD Vance, in his role as US Vice President, continues to emphasize Greenland's strategic importance, raising concerns that diplomatic efforts may be inadequate to maintain Greenland's democratic freedoms and self-determination.
