Greenland’s government has firmly denied issuing any invitation to an American delegation set to visit the island this week, directly contradicting claims made by U.S. President Donald Trump. The delegation, led by Usha Vance—the wife of Vice President JD Vance—alongside National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, is scheduled to arrive in the Danish territory on Thursday. The planned visit has ignited significant controversy, with outgoing Prime Minister Múte B. Egede condemning it as part of the United States’ “highly aggressive” efforts to assert control over Greenland.
President Trump asserted on Monday that Greenlandic officials had requested Washington to send a team to the island, stating, “People from Greenland are asking us to go there.” However, Greenland’s government swiftly refuted this claim. In a Facebook post, Naalakkersuisut, Greenland’s governing body, clarified, “Just for the record, Naalakkersuisut, the government of Greenland, has not extended any invitations for any visits, neither private nor official.”
Pipaluk Lynge, a senior Greenlandic member of parliament and chair of the island’s foreign and security policy committee, corroborated this stance, telling that Trump’s assertions were “not true.” She also noted that a protest is planned for Vance’s arrival in Sisimiut, following two other demonstrations in recent weeks opposing Trump’s expressed desire to annex Greenland. “We are protesting politically [as] the people of Greenland,” Lynge stated.
The controversy underscores escalating tensions between Greenland and the United States. President Trump has previously floated the idea of the U.S. acquiring Greenland, citing its strategic Arctic location and abundant mineral resources, including rare earth elements vital for high-tech industries. Since reentering the White House, Trump has intensified his rhetoric, labeling the acquisition an “absolute necessity” and refusing to rule out employing military force or economic coercion to achieve this objective. In January, then-President-elect Trump dispatched his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., to Greenland in an effort to garner support for U.S. annexation—a move that local lawmakers criticized as a “staged” political stunt.
Greenland’s leaders have consistently resisted these overtures. Prime Minister Egede emphasized that the current visit cannot be dismissed as a benign cultural exchange. “We are now at a level where this cannot in any way be characterized as a harmless visit from a politician’s wife. The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us,” he remarked. Egede further expressed concern that the inclusion of high-ranking officials like Waltz and Wright signals an attempt to exert pressure on Greenland’s sovereignty. “What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? His mere presence in Greenland will no doubt fuel American belief in Trump’s mission—and the pressure will increase,” Egede told local newspaper Sermitsiaq.
The timing of the U.S. delegation’s visit has also drawn criticism. Greenland is currently in a caretaker period following a general election on March 11, which saw the pro-business Democrats party, led by Jens-Frederik Nielsen, secure victory. Nielsen, who is poised to become Greenland’s next leader, called for political unity in response to the U.S. visit, stating that it “once again shows a lack of respect for the Greenland people.” He highlighted that the visit coincides with ongoing municipal elections and government formation negotiations, suggesting that the U.S. is attempting to capitalize on a moment of political transition.
Denmark, which retains authority over Greenland’s defense and foreign policy, has also expressed apprehension. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized the importance of respecting sovereignty in international relations. “This is something we take seriously,” she stated, adding that while Denmark seeks cooperation with the U.S., such collaboration should be based on “the fundamental rules of sovereignty.” Frederiksen indicated that dialogue with the U.S. regarding Greenland would occur in close coordination with both the Danish government and Greenland’s future leadership.
The U.S. delegation’s itinerary includes attending Greenland’s national dogsled race, the Avannaata Qimussersu, and visiting the American Pituffik space base. The White House has framed Vance’s participation as an act of cultural diplomacy aimed at celebrating Greenlandic heritage and unity. “Ms. Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity,” the White House stated. However, critics argue that the presence of senior officials like Waltz and Wright suggests ulterior motives beyond cultural exchange. Ulrik Pram Gad of the Danish Institute for International Studies described the visit as an “aggressive move” by Washington, noting, “They haven’t been invited by Greenlanders. They haven’t been invited by the Danes. They just announced that they will go.”
Public sentiment in Greenland appears largely opposed to U.S. annexation efforts. A January poll commissioned by Danish and Greenlandic newspapers found that 85% of Greenlanders do not wish to become part of the United States, with nearly half perceiving Trump’s interest as a threat. Despite this, Trump has remained undeterred, stating earlier this month, “I think we’re going to get it one way or the other.”
The situation has raised broader geopolitical concerns. Greenland’s strategic location along the shortest route from Europe to North America makes it a critical component of the U.S. ballistic missile warning system. Additionally, its vast reserves of rare earth minerals have attracted international interest, particularly from the U.S., Russia, and China, all vying for influence in the Arctic region. Greenland’s leaders have expressed a desire for independence from Denmark but are wary of becoming a pawn in larger geopolitical struggles. As Egede noted, Greenlanders’ efforts to engage diplomatically “bounce off Donald Trump and his administration in their mission to own and control Greenland.”
As the U.S. delegation prepares to arrive, protests are anticipated, reflecting widespread local opposition to what many perceive as an infringement on Greenland’s sovereignty. The unfolding events underscore the delicate balance Greenland must navigate as it seeks to assert its autonomy while managing external pressures from global powers.
