US visit to Greenland is unacceptable, Danish prime minister says
By Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen and Tom Little
The United States is exerting “unacceptable pressure” on Greenland, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Tuesday, ahead of an unsolicited visit by a high-profile U.S. delegation to the semi-autonomous Danish territory this week.
The visit to an American military base and a dog sled race will be led by Usha Vance, wife of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, and includes White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. It runs from Thursday to Saturday.
President Donald Trump on Monday reiterated his suggestion that the U.S. should take over Greenland, saying the vast island was important for U.S. national security. Frederiksen has rejected the proposal, saying it is up to the people of Greenland to decide their future.
“I have to say that it is unacceptable pressure being placed on Greenland and Denmark in this situation. And it is pressure that we will resist,” she told Danish broadcasters DR and TV2.
Greenland’s acting head of government, Mute Egede, has labeled the visit a “provocation,” as it coincides with government coalition talks and municipal elections scheduled for the following week.
“This is a charm offensive without the charm,” Noa Redington, an analyst and former adviser to previous Danish prime minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt, told Reuters.
“And everyone is upset because it’s so obvious that this is about intimidating the Greenlandic people and provoking Denmark,” he said.
Since Donald Trump Jr.’s private visit to the mineral-rich island in January, Trump has consistently discussed U.S. annexation of Greenland and urged Greenlanders to join the United States.
Polls have shown that nearly all Greenlanders oppose joining the United States.
Earlier this month, anti-American protesters gathered in the capital Nuuk and in several other towns across the island in some of the largest demonstrations ever seen in Greenland.
On Monday, Trump said that his administration was working with “people in Greenland” who want something to happen, but did not elaborate.
Kuno Fencker, a member of Greenland’s parliament for the nationalist and strongly pro-independence Naleraq party, which came in second in a March 11 general election, welcomed the visit, saying it was “an honor and a strong signal of respect.”
“They are welcome in Greenland,” he told Reuters, adding that he had not been in contact with the U.S. administration about the visit.
Brian Hughes, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said the delegation aimed to “learn about Greenland, its culture, history, and people.”
Frederiksen disputed the notion of a private visit with official representatives.
“The visit is clearly not about what Greenland needs or wants,” said Frederiksen. “President Trump is serious. He wants Greenland. Therefore, (this visit) cannot be seen independently of anything else.”
She said Denmark did not oppose ties with the United States, citing a 1951 bilateral agreement which established U.S. rights to move freely and construct military bases in Greenland, given Denmark and Greenland are notified.
“We are allies,” she said, adding: “There is no indication either in Denmark or Greenland that we do not want cooperation with the Americans.”
Egede has called for more robust support from allies against the U.S.
Frederiksen said: “There is massive support from the Nordic countries and the EU, so we have our allies and close partners with us.”
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Experts Arctic early-warning radar project news, want detail on other North promises, CBC News
Finland: Finnish Defence Minister tells party leaders shrinking fighter fleet would be “irresponsible”, Yle News
Greenland: Trump doubles down on Greenland claims as territory leaders slam US delegation visit, Reuters
Iceland: Iceland’s FM announces defence review, calls revamped security policy ‘urgent’, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: NATO’s Arctic dilemma: Two visions of the Arctic collide as NATO and Russia flex muscles, Eye on the Arctic special report
Russia: Russian gov promises new weapons while approval ratings slide, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: U.S. shows strength on the one-year anniversary of Sweden’s accession to NATO, The Independent Barents Observer
United States: U.S. experts call for ‘vigilance’ on Russian military buildup in Arctic, Alaska Public Media
