A tourism company in Greenland has cancelled a planned visit by the wife of US Vice President JD Vance over concerns about an “underlying agenda” and “media spectacle”.
The US consulate had reportedly reached out to Tupilak Travel in Nuuk ahead of a visit to Greenland by Usha Vance.
While the tour company was initially open to the idea of welcoming the second lady, they’ve since decided to reject the offer of hosting her.
See also: Who is Usha Vance?
The trip was initially billed as a family-friendly holiday for Usha and one of her children to immerse themselves in Greenlandic culture and visit the annual dogsled competition.
It later emerged that Ms Vance would be joined by her husband and National Security advisor Mike Waltz on the trip.
Amid concerns that it was evolving into a political visit rather than a recreational one, the tourism group issued a stern statement outlining their position.
“When the American consulate called yesterday to ask if the wife of the U.S. Vice President, Usha Vance, could visit our store on Friday, we replied that she was welcome,” they said. “After all, everyone is welcome in our store.
“However, upon further consideration, we have now informed the consulate that we do not wish to host her visit, as we cannot accept the underlying agenda and do not want to be part of the media spectacle that will inevitably follow,” it read.
“No thanks to nice visit… Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders.”
It’s since been reported that the Vance’s trip to Greenland has been reduced to just a visit of the US space base, as opposed to visiting cultural events.
Nonetheless, Vance and his wife arrived as expected on Friday afternoon.
It comes as President Trump continues to voice his efforts to ‘buy’ Greenland, with the plans being labelled as aggressive by the outgoing Greenlandic prime minister, Múte Egede.
The proposals have been met with fury by Greenlanders.
Situated between the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, Greenland is an autonomous region that forms part of the Kingdom of Denmark. However, it’s also considered strategically important because of the route it lies on between the US, Europe and Russia.
Reflecting on his plans to acquire the vast island, which is also thought to be rich in natural resources, Trump has suggested that it’s a matter of national security.
He said: “We need greater national security purposes. I've been told that for a long time, long before I even ran [for president]. People really don't even know that Denmark has any legal right to it, but if they do, they should give it up because we need it for national security.”
