Greenland chief accuses JD and Usha Vance of masterful spin with last-minute trip change despite annex threat
Greenlands leadership called Vice President JD Vance and Usha Vances changed itinerary to their island visit a masterful spin about their true intensions.
Greenlands leadership called Vice President JD Vance and Usha Vances changed itinerary to their island visit a masterful spin about their true intensions.
I have to speak diplomatically here, but in many ways its a masterful spin to make it look like theyre escalating when really theyre de-escalating, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen told Danish broadcaster DR on Wednesday.
Løkke called it a positive development after his initial fury at the trip.
I think its very positive that the Americans have cancelled their visit among Greenlandic society. They will only visit their own base, Pituffik, and we have nothing against that, he said.
The Vances will now visit the U.S. Space Force outpost at Pituffik, on the northwest coast of Greenland, instead of Usha Vances previously announced solo trip to the Avannaata Qimussersu dogsled race.
But President Donald Trump doubled down on his desire for the island.
We need Greenland for international safety and security. We need it. We have to have it, he told podcaster Vince Coglianese. I hate to put it that way, but were going to have to have it.
Vice President JD Vance and wife Usha Vance visit the U.S. Space Force outpost at Pituffik
Vance, in a video posted online, said he was joining his wife because he didnt want her to have all this fun by herself. He added that he would just check out whats going on with the security there of Greenland.
We want to reinvigorate the security of Greenland because we think its important to protecting the security of the entire world, Vance said.
The change in plans also will reduce the likelihood that the Vances will cross paths with residents angered by Trumps attempts to annex the island, which is a semi-autonomous Danish territory.
The cars (from the US advance security detail) that were delivered a few days ago are in the process of being sent back home, and the wife of the US vice president and the national security adviser will not visit Greenlandic society, Løkke said.
The matter is being wound up and thats positive, he added.
The couples visit comes as Trump has doubled down on his determination to annex the island. And after a series of Signal messages published by The Atlantic revealed the vice president called Europe freeloaders.
Vance accused Denmark and previous US presidents of ignoring the island for far too long.
Leaders in America and in Denmark ignored Greenland for far too long and thats been bad for Greenland. Its also been bad for the security of the entire world. We think we can take things in a different direction so Im gonna go check it out, he said.
Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, where the Vances will visit
Apartment buildings and houses are pictured in Nuuk, Greenland
Additionally, the decision to visit a U.S. military base has removed the risk of violating potential diplomatic taboos by sending a delegation to another country without an official invitation.
Greenland leaders made it clear that the U.S. delegation was neither invited nor wanted
Pituffik Space Base
Pituffik Space Base is one of the most strategically important military sites in the world.
It serves as an early detection site for missile launches.
About 150 U.S. Air Force and Space Force personnel are permanently stationed there.
Its name changed two year ago from Thule to Pituffik, which means in Greenlandic the place we tie our dogs.
Pituffik Space Base
Greenland is strategically important for the U.S. military and its ballistic missile early-warning system.
It holds a commanding position in the Arctic, as a buffer between North America and Russia.
The island, which is three times the size of Texas, has no army and relies on Denmark for protection.
A 1951 agreement between the United States and Denmark established a U.S. right to move around freely and construct military bases in Greenland as long as Denmark and Greenland are notified.
Originally, Usha Vances office said the second lady would arrive Thursday in Greenland and return Saturday.
She and one of the couples three children had planned to visit historic sites, watch a dog race, and learn about Greenland´s culture.
Michael Waltz, the national security adviser, was to accompany her.
Greenlands Prime Minister Mute Egede called the trip highly aggressive.
Egede noted that it has not extended any invitations for any visits, neither private nor official.
Denmark blasted the visit, calling it part of an unacceptable pressure on them.
It is clearly not a visit that concerns Greenlands needs or wishes. Thats why I have to say its an unacceptable pressure being placed on Greenland and Denmark -- and its pressure we will stand up to, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told Danish broadcasters DR and TV2.
President Trump is serious, she said. He wants Greenland.
Trumps desire to expand Americas territory has triggered a spat between Copenhagen and the White House.
Protesters outside the U.S. consulate in Nuuk, Greenland
Polls show that nearly all Greenlanders oppose becoming part of the United States, and anti-American protesters, some wearing Make America Go Away caps and holding Yankees go home banners, have been seen on the island with some of the protests outside the US consulate in the capital, Nuuk.
Questions remain about why Trump wants the self-governing territory.
The president has said Greenland is important to Americas national security and poorly protected by Denmark. Hes also noted he wants access to its critical minerals.
But mainly he talks about owning it - a desire he originally expressed in his first administration.
He also has pushed for America to retake control of the Panama Canal and has called Canada the 51st state.
I think Greenlands going to be something that maybe is in our future, Trump said at a cabinet meeting Monday. I think its important. Its important from the standpoint of international security.