A high-profile United States delegation is set to visit Greenland this week amid President Donald Trump’s continued promotion of a potential US annexation of the strategic, semi-autonomous Danish territory.
It was gathered that Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, will lead the delegation, which includes White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
During their visit, Waltz and Wright plan to tour the Pituffik Space Base, a key US military installation in Greenland. The White House stated that they would receive briefings from American service members stationed there before joining Vance in visiting historical sites and attending the national dogsled race.
White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes emphasised that the visit aims to strengthen partnerships while respecting Greenland’s right to self-determination.
“This is a visit to learn about Greenland, its culture, history, and people and to attend a dogsled race the United States is proud to sponsor, plain and simple,” Hughes said.
Since assuming office for a second term on January 20, Trump has continued to make the annexation of Greenland a major talking point. The territory’s strategic position and abundant mineral resources are believed to hold significant value for the US.
Greenland lies along the shortest route between Europe and North America, making it vital to the US ballistic missile warning system.
However, both the Greenlandic and Danish governments have expressed opposition to any move toward US annexation.
The Greenlandic government, currently in a caretaker period following the March 11 general election, has yet to comment on the development. The election was won by a party advocating a cautious approach to independence from Denmark.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, in a written statement responding to news of the visit, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation.
According to her, Denmark remains open to cooperation with the US but insists that such engagement must be based on fundamental principles of sovereignty.
She further stressed that any dialogue with Washington concerning Greenland would take place in close coordination with both the Danish government and Greenland’s future leadership.
