Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, arrived in Greenland last Friday with a high-ranking delegation of U.S. officials. The purpose of the visit, initially aimed at building cultural ties and fostering diplomatic engagement, quickly shifted focus to military strategy. Instead of interacting with local leaders or attending public events, the group headed straight to Pituffik Space Base, a remote U.S. military outpost in Greenland’s Arctic region.
The trip began on a light note, with Vance joking about the cold temperatures and the well-known “polar bear plunge” – a local tradition where people dive into icy waters. However, the tone quickly turned serious as Vance addressed the group, remarking, “We may have some interest in Greenland.” The message was clear: Greenland’s strategic location in the Arctic, particularly its proximity to Russia and other geopolitical hotspots, is of significant importance to the U.S. government.
From Washington, former President Donald Trump was even more direct, stating, “We have to have Greenland.” The comment, made from the U.S. capital, once again raised concerns about the Trump administration’s ambitions to acquire Greenland, a move that was met with strong resistance from both the Danish government and Greenlandic citizens during his presidency.
Cultural Outreach Cancelled Amid Backlash
Initially, the U.S. delegation had planned a series of cultural events to engage with the people of Greenland. These included attending a dog-sled race, as well as meetings and public events in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, and Sisimiut, the country’s second-largest town. The aim was to foster goodwill between the U.S. and Greenland, emphasizing cultural exchange alongside diplomatic relations. However, these plans were abruptly canceled after Greenlandic and Danish officials raised objections.
Greenland’s government, still in the process of forming a new administration after the March elections, was not consulted about the visit beforehand. Many local leaders saw the trip as an unwelcome political maneuver and a potential interference in Greenland’s internal affairs. Greenland’s outgoing prime minister called the timing of the visit a “provocation,” considering that the country was still in political transition.
The trip faced further complications when a local travel agency in Nuuk rescinded its invitation to the second lady, Usha Vance. The agency cited discomfort with the underlying political agenda of the visit, particularly the focus on military interests rather than cultural exchange. Locals were also preparing to protest, with plans for symbolic demonstrations, including turning their backs on the U.S. delegation during public events, signaling their displeasure with the visit’s motives.
Military Focus Takes Priority Over Diplomacy
In response to the backlash, the nature of the visit shifted entirely from cultural diplomacy to strategic military matters. At Pituffik Space Base, the U.S. delegation received detailed defense briefings on Arctic defense systems and the region’s growing importance to U.S. military operations. The base is home to U.S. Air and Space Force personnel, as well as contractors from Denmark, Canada, and Greenland. The facility plays a pivotal role in Arctic defense, with a focus on missile defense and monitoring Russian activity in the region.
The shift to a military-focused agenda was not lost on observers. While cultural diplomacy had initially been part of the trip’s objectives, the cancellation of public events and the pivot to military briefings made it clear that the Trump administration’s priorities lay in bolstering U.S. military presence in the Arctic, rather than fostering peaceful diplomatic relations with Greenland.
The visit was coordinated in part by Tom Dans, a former U.S. Arctic commissioner under Trump, who now works to promote stronger U.S.-Greenland business ties, particularly in sectors related to defense and energy. Dans has been a key figure in pushing for closer U.S.-Greenland cooperation, particularly in the context of Arctic security and the region’s growing geopolitical significance. However, the negative reception from local Greenlandic citizens and officials indicated that such efforts are far from universally welcomed.
The Cold Reception to U.S. Interest in Greenland
The U.S. delegation’s visit highlighted the tension between Greenland’s desire for greater autonomy and the strategic interests of external powers, particularly the U.S. The idea of U.S. control over Greenland has been a contentious issue for years. In 2019, President Trump famously suggested that the U.S. might purchase Greenland, a proposal that was swiftly rejected by Denmark and Greenlandic officials, who found the idea offensive and out of touch with the island’s political realities.
While Greenland has been an autonomous territory of Denmark since 2009, the U.S. sees the island as a vital part of its defense strategy in the Arctic. With melting ice opening up new shipping routes and access to untapped natural resources, the region has become increasingly important in global geopolitics. The U.S. has long maintained military bases in Greenland, and the country’s strategic location is seen as essential for monitoring Russian activity in the Arctic.
However, the chilly reception during Vice President Vance’s visit shows the growing resistance within Greenland to external political and military interference. Many Greenlandic citizens feel that their country’s sovereignty is being undermined by foreign powers seeking to exploit the island’s resources and strategic location. Protests against the U.S. delegation were just one example of the discontent that has simmered beneath the surface as Greenland grapples with its place in the global order.
A Difficult Path Ahead for U.S.-Greenland Relations
As the visit came to a close, it was clear that the road ahead for U.S.-Greenland relations would not be an easy one. While the U.S. is keen to strengthen its military presence in the Arctic, Greenland’s citizens and leaders are deeply concerned about the potential consequences of closer ties with the U.S. The balance between military cooperation and respect for Greenlandic sovereignty will be a delicate one to maintain.
Greenland’s future political trajectory will play a key role in shaping its relationship with the U.S. As the country continues to assert its autonomy, it is likely that further tensions will arise over foreign influence in the Arctic. The recent visit serves as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in international diplomacy, particularly in regions where strategic and political interests often clash.