Greenland has accused the US of being “highly aggressive” after American officials visited the island following Donald Trump’s recent annexation threats.
Reports say that US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright are visiting Greenland this week. Additionally, Second Lady Usha Vance is scheduled to visit from Thursday to Saturday. She will be joined by her son and will attend Greenland’s national dogsled race, Avannaata Qimussersu.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute B. Egede strongly questioned why Waltz was visiting. The Greenlandic government is unhappy with the visits, especially after Trump repeatedly said he wanted to annex the island for “international security.
“We are now at a level where it can in no way be characterized as a harmless visit from a politician’s wife,” Egede said, according to Greenland’s Sermitsiaq newspaper.
“What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us.”
“He is Trump’s confidential and closest advisor, and his presence in Greenland alone will certainly make the Americans believe in Trump’s mission, and the pressure will increase after the visit,” Egede added.
The US has had a long history of interest in Greenland. After World War II, the US tried to buy the island, but Denmark refused. A defense agreement between Denmark and the US allows the US to operate military bases in Greenland, including the Ptiuffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base).
Both the Greenlandic and Danish governments have made it clear that Greenland is not for sale. Despite this, Trump’s threats and the recent US visits have raised concerns about the future of the island’s autonomy.
“I think it’ll happen,” Trump told reporters earlier this month while he sat next to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Trump questioned whether Denmark still had a right to claim the world’s largest island as part of its kingdom.
“A boat landed there 200 years ago or something. And they say they have rights to it,” Trump said. “I don’t know if that’s true. I don’t think it is, actually.”
These events highlight rising tensions between the US, Greenland, and Denmark.
