US delegation to visit Greenland amid Trump's takeover remarks
US Vice President JD Vance with his wife Usha Vance (Photo: Getty Images)
Today, US Vice President JD Vance and his wife will visit a US military base in Greenland, a trip that was scaled back after a backlash over a lack of coordination with local authorities, AP News reports.
The one-day visit to the US Space Force base in Pituffik, on Greenland’s northwest coast, was organized after protests from Danish and Greenlandic officials.
The initial three-day trip had been arranged without consulting local authorities, prompting accusations of disrespect and increasing pressure from Washington. The revised plan limits the visit strictly to the military outpost, avoiding contact with locals angered by President Donald Trump’s takeover rhetoric.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen condemned the original plans, saying: "We really want to work with the Americans on defense and security in the kingdom. But Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders."
Earlier this month, four of the five parties in Greenland's parliament formed a unified coalition in response to growing US interest. The US delegation's visit to Greenland, in the midst of Trump's takeover comments, has reignited concerns about national sovereignty.
Greenland residents reject joining US
Usha Vance had initially planned a solo trip to the dogsled race in Sisimiut, with JD Vance later joining - until public outcry forced the couple to limit their visit.
The people of Greenland have made it clear they reject any suggestion of joining the United States. "It’s not normal around here," said 22-year-old Cora Høy from Nuuk. "Every day feels like it’s about Trump now, and I just want it to stop."
"It’s all a bit crazy. Of course the population here is a bit shook up," said 30-year-old Inuk Kristensen. "You don’t just show up and say you want to buy the place." According to local sentiment, Greenland residents reject joining the US by a wide margin - with over 85% opposing any form of US takeover or control.
Despite this, the US President Donald Trump expressed confidence that the United States would gain control over Greenland, saying in an interview: "I don’t know if they want to become US citizens, but I think we have to do it, and we have to convince them."
As global powers turn their focus to the Arctic, Greenland stands firm in defending its autonomy and resisting foreign pressure.
