Greenland fumes over Usha Vance, Mike Waltz's upcoming visit to island, PM calls it 'provocation'

Anger seemed to rise in Greenland after the news broke out that US Second Lady Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, will travel to the island this week along with the American National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. Their visit came at a time when US President Donald Trump clings on to the hopes of annexing Greenland which is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.

According to the statement released by the White House, Vance will be visiting the Island on Thursday with a US delegation and will tour historical sites, learn about the territory’s heritage and attend the national dogsled race. The delegation will return to the US on March 29. As per the statement, the American delegation includes National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz, and Energy Secretary, Chris Wright.

The two officials from the Trump administration will be visiting the US military base in Greenland, a US official said, with no confirmation from the White House, The Guardian reported. Trump has made his ambition of annexing Greenland “one way or another,” very clear, ever since he came back to the White House. The island, which is seeking its independence, has frequently maintained that “it is not for sale”.

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Greenland PM calls the visit ‘provocative’

While speaking to the Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq, the island’s outgoing Prime Minister, Múte Egede , said the visit by Waltz was a “provocation”. “The only purpose is to show a demonstration of power to us, and the signal is not to be misunderstood,” he said. “He is Trump’s confidential and closest adviser, and his presence in Greenland alone will certainly make the Americans believe in Trump’s mission, and the pressure will increase after the visit," the Greenlandic premier furthered.

Meanwhile, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, said in a written comment reacting to news of the visit that “this is something we take seriously”. She said Denmark wanted to cooperate with the US but it should be cooperation based on “the fundamental rules of sovereignty”.

She also mentioned that the dialogue with the US regarding Greenland would take place in close coordination with the Danish government and the future Greenlandic government.

Why Trump wants Greenland

It is pertinent to note that Greenland is located along the shortest route from Europe to North America. Experts have often said that its strategic location would be vital for the US ballistic missile warning system.

Not only this, Greenland’s strategic location and rich mineral resources could prove to be beneficial for the US as well. After coming to power, Trump has initiated a new kind of “mineral politics” by striking deals with Ukraine to get access to the eastern European nation’s rare minerals.

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The governments of both Greenland and Denmark have voiced opposition to such a move. Even the thought of the US annexing Greenland did not get much support in the public polls conducted before the general elections on the island.

With inputs from Reuters.