Topline
Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday afternoon he will join his wife, second lady Usha Vance, in Greenland this Friday to “check out” the territory’s security—an update that comes after Greenland’s leadership criticized the visit as “provocation.”
JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance attend an election night event with former US President and … More
AFP via Getty ImagesKey Facts
Vance said he will visit guardians in the Space Force on the northwest coast and “check out what’s going on with the security” in Greenland, noting “a lot of other countries” have threatened Greenland and “threatened to use its territories and its waterways to threaten the United States.”
Vance’s wife, Usha, announced earlier this week she would be visiting Greenland as part of a U.S. delegation visiting historic sites and learning about Greenlandic heritage.
Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede criticized the visit, saying it is an act of “clear provocation” that comes as President Donald Trump continually threatens to bring Greenland under U.S. control.
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Crucial Quote
“Speaking for President Trump, we want to reinvigorate the security of the people of Greenland because we think it’s important to protecting the security of the entire world,” Vance said in a video posted to X.
What Has Jd Vance Said About Greenland?
Vance previously spoke about Greenland, which is a territory of Denmark, on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Features,” saying Denmark was “not doing its job” or “being a good ally,” and that “if that means that we need to take more territorial interest in Greenland that is what President Trump is going to do.” He said Greenland is “really important to our national security,” and that he believes “it’s possible” for the U.S. to take control of the territory.
What Has Donald Trump Said About Greenland?
Trump first introduced the idea of acquiring Greenland when he was in office in 2019, saying at the time “strategically it’s interesting” and calling the potential acquisition “essentially . . . a large real estate deal.” He doubled down on the potential to annex it prior to being inaugurated this year, saying in late December last year on Truth Social that “ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity” for “purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World.” Trump has continued to express interest in Greenland since taking office: As recently as March 13, Trump reportedly agreed in a White House meeting he believes the U.S. will annex Greenland.
Who Else Is Going To Greenland?
Trump’s National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright will also be traveling to Greenland this weekend, the Associated Press reported. Vance said she will be leading a U.S. delegation and will bring one of her sons to Greenland, as well.
What Has Greenland Said About Trump’s Plan To Annex It?
In early January, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told Trump “Greenland is not for sale,” and Greenland’s leaders have continuously echoed that. After news of Usha Vance’s visit, Egede told a Greenlandic news outlet the trip could not be considered a “harmless visit from a politician’s wife” and that its only purpose was to demonstrate “power to us.” He said the presence of Waltz in Greenland will “certainly make Americans believe in Trump’s mission” to gain control of Greenland, despite the territory maintaining it does not want to be part of the United States.
Tangent
Prior to Trump’s inauguration—but after he began expressing interest in acquiring Greenland—his son Donald Trump Jr. visited the territory. A parliament member in Greenland told Politico the visit was “staged to make it seem” like the people of Greenland supported Trump, but that Greenland “wants its “own independence and democracy.” Trump’s team denied the visit was staged.
Further Reading
Greenland Leader Says Upcoming Visit By Trump Officials And Usha Vance Is ‘Clear Provocation’ (Forbes)
Greenland’s leader laments ‘mess’ as US vice president’s wife to visit island coveted by Trump (Associated Press)
Read the full article here
