Greenland's Prime Minister, Mute B. Egede, slammed the programmed visits of second lady Usha Vance and national security advisor Mike Waltz, saying that they can't be considered harmless given the Trump administration's expressed desire to annex the territory.
Speaking about the visit by Vance, who is set to watch the Avannaata Qimussersu dog sled race along with her son, Egede said relations are now "at a level where it can in no way be characterized as a harmless visit from a politician's wife."
Vance, on her end, said he looks forward to "meeting many of you soon and to learning from you about your beautiful land, culture and traditions." She added that she hopes relations will "only grow stronger" in the future.
Citing local media, the Daily Mail reported that U.S. officials reached out to Malik Berthelsen, the mayor of Qeqqata, to set up a visit with Vance,a petition he rejected.
Egede also slammed a visit by Mike Waltz, which will also take place this week. He is scheduled to visit a military base along with energy secretary Chris Wright. "What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us," said Egede.
"He is Trump's confidential and closest advisor, and his presence in Greenland alone will certainly make the Americans believe in Trump's mission, and the pressure will increase after the visit," he added.
President Donald Trump has been vocal about his desire to annex the territory, which is rich with natural resources and holds a strategic location near the arctic. In mid-March he said the annexation "will happen" as the U.S. "needs" Greenland for "international security."
Speaking to press alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said he will continue seeking to absorb the territory currently controlled by Denmark, another NATO ally, because "we have a lot of our favorite players cruising around the coast and we need to be careful."
Rutte then interrupted Trump, saying he would "leave this discussion aside" as he didn't want to "drag NATO into that." He did however acknowledge that "the Chinese are using these routes, and we know that the Russians are arming." "We have a lack of icebreakers, so to have the seven Arctic countries outside Russia working together under U.S. leadership is very important."
House Democrats have launched efforts to block Trump from using military force to occupy Canada, Greenland and Panama. The bill, formally called H.R. 1936, was introduced by Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.) to "prohibit funds for the Armed Forces to engage in operations to invade or seize territory from Canada, the Republic of Panama, or the self-governing territory of Greenland." It was co-sponsored by eight Democrats.
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