Tensions between Greenland and the United States deepened over the weekend as Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute B. Egede launched a blistering rebuke against the Trump administration, branding a forthcoming American delegation as “highly aggressive.”
The visit, led by high-ranking U.S. officials including Usha Vance, the second lady, and Michael Waltz, the national security adviser, has reignited concerns in Greenland over Washington’s long-standing ambition to claim the vast Arctic island as its own.
Vance is scheduled to engage in cultural visits upon her arrival on Thursday, while Waltz is expected to arrive earlier in the week alongside Energy Secretary Chris Wright. However, the presence of Trump’s national security adviser has particularly riled Egede, who views it as a thinly veiled assertion of American power.
Speaking to a Greenlandic newspaper on Sunday, Egede did not hold back.
“Greenlanders’ efforts to be diplomatic just bounce off Donald Trump and his administration in their mission to own and control Greenland,” he fumed. He was particularly incensed by the involvement of Waltz, questioning the necessity of a national security adviser in Greenland.
“The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us,” he said. “His mere presence in Greenland will no doubt fuel American belief in Trump’s mission — and the pressure will increase.”
Other senior figures in Greenlandic politics echoed his frustration. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of Greenland’s largest political party, slammed the timing of the visit, pointing out that the island had just held parliamentary elections and was yet to form a new government. “The fact that the Americans are well aware we are in the middle of negotiations,” he said, “once again shows a lack of respect for the Greenlandic people.”
The visit comes amid growing unease among Greenlanders about Trump’s ambitions. A recent poll revealed that an overwhelming majority of the island’s residents reject the notion of becoming part of the United States, though many still seek improved relations with Washington.
The Trump administration has attempted to frame the trip as a gesture of goodwill. In a statement on Sunday, officials highlighted Vance’s planned attendance at Greenland’s prestigious national dog-sled race, Avannaata Qimussersu, alongside one of her children. “Ms. Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity,” the statement read.
However, Waltz’s itinerary tells a different story. The national security adviser is expected to tour an American military base on Greenland, home to a small missile defense installation established during World War II. His visit, alongside Wright, signals U.S. interest in Greenland’s strategic importance and its untapped natural resources, including rare earth minerals.
A White House official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that other senior figures in the administration might also make the trip, though it remains unclear whether the Greenlandic government extended an invitation. The National Security Council’s spokesman, Brian Hughes, defended the visit as a fact-finding mission. “The United States has a vested security interest in the Arctic region,” he said, adding that the delegation looks forward to experiencing Greenlandic hospitality.
Trump’s Expansionist Vision
Trump has long made clear his ambitions regarding Greenland. His belief that the island should become part of the United States was a recurring theme during his first term, with reports emerging as early as 2019 that he had floated the idea of purchasing Greenland outright. Now, in his second term, those ambitions have intensified, alongside interest in Canada and even the Panama Canal.
According to former advisers, Trump began pressing officials after his re-election in 2024 to explore concrete ways of bringing Greenland under American control. While outright annexation remains a diplomatic impossibility, the presence of high-profile American officials on the island suggests a push to strengthen Washington’s influence in the Arctic.
Denmark, which has maintained authority over Greenland for more than 300 years, remains unimpressed. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a stark response on Sunday, distancing Copenhagen from the American delegation. “The visit from the United States cannot be seen in isolation from the public statements that have been made,” she said. “This is something we take seriously.”
Her words leave little doubt that Washington’s overtures are being met with deep skepticism, not just in Nuuk but also in the Danish capital.
Greenland’s Fight for Sovereignty
Greenland has steadily moved towards greater autonomy from Denmark, and many of its leaders are wary of being caught between larger powers. While Greenlanders have historically sought to strike a balance in their relations with Washington, Trump’s renewed push has made that neutrality increasingly difficult to maintain.
Egede, in his sharpest comments to date, warned that the situation had reached a critical juncture. “We are now at a point where it can no longer be described as an innocent visit from a politician’s spouse,” he said. Calling for international support, he added: “The international community must now react.”
With tensions simmering and Trump’s Arctic ambitions undeterred, the coming days may prove decisive in Greenland’s struggle to maintain its sovereignty.
Main Image: Global Times, via X
