Officials from Greenland and Denmark expressed their opposition to the US delegation’s visit to the island without prior notice.

Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede labeled the US sending a delegation to the island as “political interference,” criticizing Washington sharply. Speaking to Greenland’s prominent newspaper Sermitsiaq, Egede said, “The sole purpose of this visit is to demonstrate power, and the message conveyed must not be misunderstood.” Egede also stated that the message previously conveyed to Washington clearly stated that “no discussions would be held on any subject until a new Greenland government is formed.” Egede also stated in a statement on his Facebook account, “Our independence and democracy should be respected without external interference.” The delegation, which includes US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, is led by Vice President James David Vance’s wife Usha Vance. Vance, expected to travel to Greenland with his delegation on Thursday, will visit historical sites and gather information about Greenland from officials during the visit, which will end on Saturday. According to a statement from Vance’s office, Usha Vance is expected to participate in a national sled dog race during the visit. Egede, stating that the US delegation’s visit cannot be simply viewed as a “personal trip”, said, “(Waltz) is Trump’s most trusted advisor, and even his presence in Greenland will further strengthen Americans’ trust in Trump’s mission; pressure will increase even more after this visit.” Egede, who is currently leading the temporary government after the general elections on March 11th, said, “INAPPROPRIATE APPETITE”

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen also criticized the visit harshly, stating in an interview with TV2 channel, “This shows an inappropriate appetite among Americans. A new election was held in Greenland as the US delegation’s visit was brought up, and a new government has not been formed yet.” The US announced that National Security Advisor Mike Waltz would visit Greenland this week with his wife Usha Vance and son. It was planned for Usha Vance to watch a sled dog race with her son during the visit. According to reports in the Greenland media, the delegation also includes former mining executive US Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Additionally, at Nuuk Airport on the island, two Hercules aircraft owned by the US were sighted, reported to be a team sent for security arrangements for the vast Arctic island. “NOT INVITED, ANNOUNCED THEIR ARRIVAL”

Ulrik Pram Gad from the Danish Institute for International Studies described the US move as an “aggressive move,” stating, “They were not invited by Greenlanders. They were not invited by Danes. They only announced their arrival.” Currently, efforts are ongoing to form a new coalition government in Greenland after the elections. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the leader of the center-right Democratic Party, which won the election, will most likely be the country’s new prime minister. Nielsen previously described Trump’s plans to buy Greenland as “inappropriate” and stated that they would not accept any pressure during the government formation process. Pram Gad noted that the visit made at a time when there is no official authority in Greenland could send a message of “We need to intervene as no one has control here.” Gad also mentioned that Usha Vance’s visit was part of a kind of “fake” friendly approach but emphasized that Chris Wright’s presence in the delegation clearly conveyed the message, “We are after the resources here.”

TRUMP’S GREENLAND PLAN

US President Donald Trump, who returned to office in January, repeatedly stated that the US wanted to acquire Greenland for national security reasons and did not rule out using military force to achieve this goal. Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly rejected Trump’s demands, emphasizing that the future of Greenland can only be decided by the people of Greenland.

WHY IS GREENLAND CRITICAL?

Greenland has vast unexplored mineral and oil reserves. The region, which is rich in rare earth elements, contains critical minerals for green energy transformation. Additionally, Greenland’s strategic location between North America and Europe is increasing the interest of the US, China, and Russia in the region. The melting of glaciers due to climate change is opening up new sea trade routes in the region, which is further increasing the global powers’ interest in Greenland. Public opinion polls show that the majority of Greenland’s 57,000 residents support independence from Denmark. However, they are against being affiliated with Washington.