As Vice President JD Vance embarks on his historic trip to Greenland, he finds himself at the forefront of discontent among Greenlanders who are decidedly less than welcoming. The visit, the first of its kind for a sitting vice president, was not initiated by Greenland's government, and many residents are wary of Vance's arrival, especially in light of former President Trump's controversial comments about acquiring the island.
Mr. Vance is expected to tour the Pituffik Space Base, a U.S. military installation located on the northern coast. However, the planned visit lacks the fanfare that initially surrounded it. Earlier ambitions to engage more deeply with Greenlandic culture, including participation in a renowned dog sled race by Second Lady Usha Vance, were quickly curtailed due to mounting protests and backlash from both local officials and the Danish government, which oversees the semi-autonomous territory.
Greenland's government publicly condemned the visit before it even began, characterizing it as "highly aggressive" and indicating a lack of invitation or interest from their side. In response to growing protests, organizers of the dog sled race affirmed they had not invited Mrs. Vance to their event, while her spokesperson countered with claims of multiple invitations.
The Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, reinforced the sentiment by acknowledging the complexity of the situation, further complicating Vance's diplomatic mission. This tense backdrop sets the stage for what should have been a significant moment of diplomacy but is instead overshadowed by a locals' movement firmly opposing American incursions into their territory. As Vice President Vance heads for his visit amidst rising tensions, it remains to be seen how this will shape future U.S.-Greenland relations.
