- By Shivangi Sharma
- Mon, 24 Mar 2025 06:14 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mte B. Egede, has strongly criticised an upcoming visit by high-profile US officials, including Second Lady Usha Vance and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. Egede has labelled the visit as a "demonstration of power" and accused the United States of interfering in Greenland’s political affairs.
The US delegation, which also includes Energy Secretary Chris Wright, is scheduled to arrive in Greenland this week amid growing tensions between Washington and Nuuk. The visit follows repeated assertions by President Donald Trump that the United States should annex the Arctic territory, currently an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
US Visit Sparks Political Outrage
Egede has expressed grave concerns over the visit, calling it an act of "foreign interference." He emphasised that Waltz’s presence, given his close ties to Trump, would only fuel speculation that the US is intensifying its efforts to assert control over Greenland.
“We are now at a level where it can in no way be characterized as a harmless visit from a politician's wife,” Egede told Greenland’s Sermitsiaq newspaper. He further stated, “His presence in Greenland alone will certainly make the Americans believe in Trump’s mission, and the pressure will increase after the visit.”
The Prime Minister has called on the international community to intervene, warning that Greenland’s autonomy is at risk. Denmark, which continues to manage Greenland’s foreign and security policies, has also expressed concern over the visit’s implications.
US Defends Greenland Visit
In response to the backlash, US officials have defended the delegation’s purpose, stating that the visit aims to strengthen partnerships and enhance economic cooperation.
Brian Hughes, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, issued a statement explaining, “The United States has a vested security interest in the Arctic region, and it should not be a surprise that the national security adviser and secretary of energy are visiting a US space base to get firsthand briefings from our service members on the ground.”
He further added, “We also look forward to experiencing Greenland’s famous hospitality and are confident that this visit presents an opportunity to build on partnerships that respect Greenland’s self-determination.”