News Brief
US Vice President J D Vance’s Greenland Visit Scaled Back Amid Diplomatic Uproar
JD Vance in one of his official portraits
US Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance are set to visit an American military base in Greenland on 28 March, following a diplomatic backlash from Greenlanders and Danes over the trip’s original itinerary, which was planned without prior consultation, AP reported.
The visit to Pituffik Space Base, a US Space Force outpost on Greenland’s northwest coast, was significantly reduced from a three-day tour after Danish and Greenlandic officials strongly objected.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen criticised the original plans, stating, "We really want to work with the Americans on defence and security in the kingdom. But Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders."
The scaled-back visit comes amid strained relations between the United States and Denmark, following former President Donald Trump's controversial push to acquire Greenland due to its strategic location and rich mineral resources.
Trump reiterated his stance on Wednesday (26 March) saying, "I think we have to do it, and we have to convince them."
However, amid mounting protests, their itinerary was altered to a single-day visit to the military base, avoiding interactions with local residents angered by Trump’s annexation rhetoric.
Greenland, located at a critical geopolitical crossroads, is increasingly important as China and Russia seek access to its Arctic waterways and resources.
Trump’s first-term proposal to purchase the island was firmly rejected by Denmark and Greenlanders, who remain adamant against US control.
Meanwhile, anti-Trump activists in Denmark have announced a protest in front of the US Embassy in Copenhagen on Saturday, opposing “American pressure against Greenland and Denmark” and “unwanted visits from the US government”, Danish broadcaster DR reported.
