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The government of Greenland has publicly reprimanded US President Donald Trump, stating that no American officials were invited to the Arctic island amidst considerable discontent regarding Washington’s overtures to Nuuk.
This week, US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Usha Vance—wife of Vice President JD Vance—and the secretaries of the army and energy are scheduled to visit Greenland for what they describe as a “private visit” intended to observe a national dog sledding competition and inspect a US military facility in the island’s far north.
Trump’s incessant expressions of interest in acquiring Greenland—a territory of Denmark—citing national security concerns, have thrust the sparsely populated island of 57,000 residents into a geopolitical spotlight, with him wavering on the possibility of taking it by force.
On Monday, the President asserted that his administration was engaging with “people in Greenland” who were eager for development. He remarked: “They’re calling us. We’re not calling them.”
In response, Greenland’s government firmly disavowed his claim Monday night, stating: “For the record, Naalakkersuisut, the government of Greenland, has not issued any invitations for visits, be they private or official.”
The government further noted: “Currently, we are a caretaker government awaiting the formation of a new coalition, and we kindly ask all nations to respect this process.”
Trump has suggested that the recent national elections in Greenland have improved the American case.
Nonetheless, the leaders of all five parties in Greenland’s parliament have denounced his remarks, while a recent opinion poll indicated that 85 percent of the population does not wish to become part of the United States.
The elections were won by Demokraatit, a party advocating for a measured and gradual independence from Denmark.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the probable next Prime Minister and head of Demokraatit, urged Greenlanders on Monday to “unify” but reassured them that there was no cause for alarm.
He added: “We must not be compelled into a power struggle that we ourselves have not chosen to engage in.”
Greenlanders have protested in recent days outside the US consulate in Nuuk regarding Trump’s interest in the island, with plans for a demonstration against the American delegation on Saturday during the national dogsled event in Sisimiut, the second-largest town.
The US consulate has confirmed that it provided a substantial but confidential amount of funding to the dogsled competition.
Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen also criticized the impending visit as demonstrating a lack of respect for Greenland’s sovereignty and its population.
Although Denmark has attempted to convey its interest in increased collaboration with the US in the Arctic, the upcoming visit is perceived in Copenhagen as an unworthy provocation from a NATO ally.
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