JD Vance To Face Cold Reception in Greenland Amid US-Denmark Tensions

U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, are set to arrive in Greenland on Friday for a scaled-down visit after the initial plans sparked a diplomatic backlash. The trip, originally intended to include stops in the capital Nuuk and Sisimiut, was reduced to a single visit to Pituffik, a remote U.S. military base in northwestern Greenland, following strong opposition from Danish and Greenlandic leaders.

Tensions Over U.S. Interest in Greenland

The controversy surrounding the visit stems from President Donald Trump’s renewed calls for the U.S. to gain control over Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. Ahead of Vance’s arrival, Trump stated that the U.S. would “go as far as we have to go” to acquire the island, claiming it is essential for national and international security.

Denmark has firmly rejected any suggestion of selling or ceding Greenland. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded to Trump’s remarks on Thursday, stating, “Greenland is part of the Danish kingdom. That is not going to change.” She added, “We in the kingdom would really like to work together with the Americans on defence and security… But Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders.”

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen confirmed that no Danish politicians would meet Vance during his visit to Pituffik, emphasizing that the trip was strictly related to the U.S. military base and had “nothing to do with us.”

Diplomatic Fallout Alters Plans

Originally, Usha Vance was to lead the trip, with stops in Nuuk and Sisimiut for cultural events, including a dog sled race. However, after strong opposition from Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte B. Egede and Frederiksen, the White House revised the itinerary, limiting it to Pituffik.

Vice President Vance later announced he would join his wife on the visit, stating in a video, “Speaking for President Trump, we want to reinvigorate the security of the people of Greenland because we think it’s important to protect the security of the entire world.”

Greenland’s Domestic Politics at Play

The visit coincides with a critical political moment in Greenland, as four out of five parties in the Greenlandic parliament are set to sign a coalition agreement on Friday. Jens Frederik Nielsen, leader of the Democrats, is expected to lead the new government after securing 30% of the vote in recent elections.

With tensions high and opposition from Danish and Greenlandic leaders, Vance’s visit is likely to be met with a cold reception—both politically and literally—on the icy island.