Greenland: “We did not invite the US delegation”
Protests planned to coincide with Mrs. Vance’s visit
NYT: “Pushes Greenland closer to Denmark as an unintended consequence”
On the 15th of (local time), protesters in Nuuk, Greenland marched under the slogan “Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland” in front of the U.S. consulate. With U.S. President Donald Trump showing a clear ambition to annex Greenland, a Danish territory, a U.S. delegation including Second Lady (Vice President’s wife) Usha Vance and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz is set to visit Greenland on the 27th, which has spurred anti-American sentiment in Greenland, according to foreign media. They anticipate that the visit will have the unintended effect of strengthening the bond between Denmark and Greenland.
Reuters reported on the 24th (local time) that Greenland’s Premier Mute Egede described the U.S.’s visit as “very aggressive” and announced that his government would not meet with the delegation. Premier Egede stated to local media, “The sole purpose of the U.S. delegation’s visit is to flaunt power,” emphasizing that such interference violates democratic principles and shows a lack of respect for Greenland’s self-determination.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the newly elected leader of the Democrats, which won the most seats in the recent Greenlandic elections, also expressed discomfort over the U.S. delegation’s visit during sensitive coalition talks for forming Greenland’s next government. He stated, “This shows America’s disregard for Greenland once again. We should not be forced into power games we did not choose.”
President Trump, speaking to reporters, stated that “the people of Greenland requested us to come there,” but the Greenlandic government countered, “We did not invite them.”
The New York Times commented on the 24th that sending a powerful U.S. delegation to Greenland without an invitation has backfired. The NYT analyzed that the visit might strengthen the ties between Greenland and Denmark. Lars Trier Mogensen, a political analyst from Copenhagen, suggested “this action is likely to yield the opposite of America’s intentions, causing Greenlandic parties, who a year ago were open to more business with the U.S., to now seek security in their alliance with Denmark.”
Otto Svensen, an Arctic expert at Washington’s International Studies Center, told AP that “Trump made a strategic mistake by inciting conflict with Greenland and Denmark instead of cooperating with NATO allies,” which has, in turn, unified Greenlandic residents and bolstered their national identity.
Even an event like Greenland’s national dog sledding race, which Vance and her son were supposed to attend, has received a cold reception. The event organizers stated, “We did not invite them,” yet acknowledged they can attend as spectators since it is a public event.
Politico reported that protests are planned to oppose Mrs. Vance’s visit. Separately, National Security Advisor Waltz and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright are set to visit a U.S. military base in northern Greenland.
The Associated Press reported growing concerns among Greenlanders about the area becoming a pawn in resource rivalry among the U.S., Russia, and China, exacerbated by climate change melting the ice caps, amplifying the rejection of the U.S. delegation’s visit.
Since his victory in the presidential election last November, President Trump has advocated for the U.S. to own Greenland for mineral resource acquisition and national security reasons. Earlier this year, Donald Trump Jr. visited Greenland. In his monthly U.S. Congress joint address, President Trump reiterated that “Greenland is necessary for not only American but global security” and stated, “We will acquire Greenland by any means.”
Greenland has been a Danish territory since the 18th century, with Denmark responsible for its foreign and defense policies. Legally a part of Denmark, Greenland gained autonomy in 2009 and can hold a referendum for independence if desired.
In the recent election on the 11th, the center-right Democratic Party, advocating for economic growth over hasty independence, overtook the reigning Inuit Ataqatigiit, who advocated immediate independence. Analysts suggest the U.S.’s intent to annex Greenland influenced voters to favor closer ties with Denmark.