Greenland is continuously hitting the internet due to its newly emerged role in geopolitics. A high-profile US delegation is set to visit the semi-autonomous Danish territory of Greenland. Previously, Donald Trump suggested that the US should annex the Island.
The delegation will be led by Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, and include White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. They are scheduled to visit the US military base to watch a dogsled race.
The prime minister of Greenland has criticized the planned trip this week by a high-profile US delegation. Other Greenlandic leaders have also hit out at the US following the announcement of the upcoming visit.
Criticism from Greenlandic Leaders
Greenland’s outgoing Prime Minister Mute Egede called the delegation’s visit, which runs from Thursday to Saturday, a “provocation” and said his caretaker government would not meet with it.
“Until recently, we could trust the Americans, who were our allies and friends, and with whom we enjoyed working closely,” Egede told local newspaper Sermitsiaq. “But that time is over.”
The Greenlandic government, Naalakkersuisut, is currently in a caretaker phase following a March 11 parliamentary election won by the Democrats, a pro-business party that favours a slow approach to independence from Denmark.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of the Democrats, called for political unity and criticized the timing of the visit during coalition talks with municipal elections due next week.
“We must not be forced into a power game that we ourselves have not chosen to be a part of,” Nielsen said on Monday.
Brian Hughes, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said the visit aims to “build on partnerships that respect Greenland’s self-determination and advance economic cooperation”.
“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.
Trump has made US annexation of Greenland a major talking point since his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., paid a private visit to the vast, mineral-rich Island in January.
Security Boosted Before their Arrival
Sermitsiaq reported that two US Hercules military transport planes arrived in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, late on Sunday, carrying security personnel and bulletproof vehicles. Around 60 police officers from Denmark also arrived in Nuuk on Sunday, state broadcaster KNR reported. Waltz and Wright plan to visit the Pituffik space base, the US military base located along the shortest route from Europe to North America, which is important for its ballistic missile warning system. Later, they will then join Vance to visit historical sites and attend the national dogsled race.
Pro-US Party Stood Second in Recent Election
In a recent election this month, The Democratic Party, under the leadership of Jens-Frederik Nielsen, received the highest vote share; however, the biggest winner of Greenland’s election is considered to be the centrist Naleraq party, which doubled its vote share in 2021. Naleraq wants a snap referendum on separating from Denmark and favours closer ties with the United States, including a potential free association agreement. This is a positive sign for the US, especially Trump. The vote share also suggests that the people have voted for the party despite knowing its stance on the US.
Greenland has become a hot cake due to the changing geopolitical scenario caused by the melting of ice and newly envisaged trade routes. The Island is rich in natural resources, which have also attracted major powers towards itself. Chinese investment was substantial, but due to the US pressure, the Chinese company had to depart. Trump looks determined to gain control of the Island and has mentioned several times even using force to take it. The recent election result, in which the pro-US party received a good mandate, also reflects that the common citizens have not rejected the idea of US involvement in the Island.
