 "Denmark welcomes Trump team's 'wise decision' to scale back Greenland trip")
The US delegation’s scaled-back Arctic itinerary has been received with cautious relief by officials in Denmark and Greenland.
According to a Politico report, Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen described the decision to visit only a US military base, rather than the originally planned broader tour —which was criticised as aggressive given Washington’s interests in the self-governing Danish territory — as a “wise” choice.
“I think it’s a much wiser decision to visit the military installation than to interfere in what is happening in Greenlandic politics — in a situation where no government has been formed,” Politico quoted Lund Poulsen as saying on Wednesday.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen referred to the change as “a positive development,” indicating that the Americans “have recognised the resistance to US overtures in Greenland.”
“I’m relieved,” Politico quoted Greenlandic MP Aqqalu Clasen Jerimiassen as saying.
“I don’t mind, if they visit their own military base in Pituffik. Cancelling the tour to Sisimiut is a right decision. But that is also just another sign, how unpredictable Trump administration is,” Jerimiassen added.
US President Donald Trump has expressed a strong desire to acquire Greenland, labeling it an “absolute necessity” for national security and suggesting the possibility of military or economic coercion.
Vice President JD Vance plans to accompany his wife, US Second Lady Usha Vance, on a revised trip to Greenland, joined by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsDanish and Greenlandic politicians sharply criticised the White House following the initial announcement.
“We are now at a level where this cannot in any way be characterised as a harmless visit,” Greenland’s outgoing Prime Minister Múte B. Egede said after the visit was announced.
“What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us, and the message is clear,” he added.
Neither US official received an invitation to the island, contrary to Trump’s claims.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen criticised the Trump administration for exerting “unacceptable pressure” on Greenland.
The delegation had initially intended to attend a cultural event featuring the national dogsled race, but Vance’s office announced on Tuesday that they would instead visit the US Space Force base in Pituffik.
“In many ways, it’s a masterful spin to make it look like they’re escalating when they’re actually de-escalating,” Politico quoted Rasmussen as saying to Danish radio on Wednesday.
“I think it is wise that they are now respecting the wishes that have been expressed by the Greenlandic side,” Lund Poulsen said. “It’s always wise to visit your soldiers.”
With inputs from agencies
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