On an unusually tense Wednesday morning, both Greenland and Denmark welcomed the news that US Vice President JD Vance and his wife would be altering their itinerary for an upcoming visit. By redirecting their travel plans, the couple is likely to avoid potential confrontations with residents who are still seething over the Trump administration’s controversial suggestions for the annexation of their vast, semi-autonomous territory.
Instead of participating in Usha Vance’s originally planned solo excursion to the Avannaata Qimussersu dogsled race in Sisimiut, they will now visit the US Space Force outpost in Pituffik, located on Greenland’s northwest coast.
Houses blanketed in snow line the coast of a Nuuk sea inlet, Greenland, on March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
The suggestion from former President Donald Trump that the United States might seek some form of control over Greenland has left many in Europe understandably irritated. This mineral-rich island, strategically located as a maritime gateway to the Arctic and North Atlantic, holds significant interest in light of China’s and Russia’s growing ambitions in the region.
During a recent interview on “The Vince Show,” Trump reiterated his desire for US governance over Greenland, stating, “I don’t know if they’re eager to become US citizens, but I think we have to do it, and we have to convince them.”
By adjusting the vice president’s visit to include a military base rather than a delegation to another country without an official invitation, the administration aims to sidestep any diplomatic faux pas. However, Vance has not been shy about criticizing longtime European allies for relying on US military backing, further straining relations with international partners.
In his first term, Trump famously floated the idea of purchasing the world’s largest island, only to be met with firm resistance from both Denmark and the people of Greenland.
Passengers take a boat ride near Nuuk, Greenland, on March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
Timing Raises Concerns
Anne Merrild, a Greenlander with expertise in Arctic politics, suggested that recent anti-US demonstrations in Nuuk may have prompted the Trump administration to rethink their approach, steering clear of interactions with dissenting residents. Nevertheless, the vice president’s visit—even to a space base—signals to the world that annexation remains a potential consideration for Washington.
“It’s a clear message—not just to Denmark and Greenland but also to the US populace, affirming that this issue is still very much on the agenda,” Merrild remarked.
According to Marc Jacobsen, a professor at the Royal Danish Defense College, the vice president’s visit is permissible under a 1951 agreement on Greenland’s defense between Denmark and the US. However, the timing is contentious, especially with coalition negotiations ongoing after the recent election.
Leading up to the vice president’s announcement, tensions had escalated, with Greenland’s government taking to Facebook to emphasize that they had not extended invitations for any visits, private or official. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the trip as “unacceptable pressure” during a national broadcast.
The HDMS Ejnar Mikkelsen, a military vessel of the Royal Danish Navy, patrols near Nuuk, Greenland, on March 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
A Lack of Clarity
Peter Viggo Jakobsen, an associate professor at the Danish Defense Academy, expressed that the U.S. has yet to clarify any specific expectations from Greenland or Denmark. “We really have no idea what the end goal is,” Jakobsen noted.
In Greenland, the Naleraq party—generally more sympathetic to the US president’s approach—has been sidelined in coalition discussions regarding the formation of the next government. The Trump administration’s ambitions could inadvertently alienate this faction, pushing moderate parties closer to Denmark.
“Trump’s stance has genuinely intimidated many Greenlanders, making them wary of a closer US relationship,” Jakobsen added.
A boy tosses ice into the sea in Nuuk, Greenland, on March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
Funding Challenges
One of the critical hurdles facing Greenland on its path to independence is the urgent need to diversify its economy. Currently, fishing accounts for a staggering 90% of exports. The island receives approximately 3.5 billion kroner ($506 million) in annual support from Denmark, constituting more than half of its public budget and enabling the continuation of vital Nordic-style social programs, including free healthcare.
Strategically, Greenland appears to prefer leveraging the idea of independence as a negotiating tool against Denmark rather than pursuing it outright. This tactic allows the island to press for concessions and financial support without taking irreversible steps. In contrast, aligning solely with the US could leave Greenlanders without guarantees of economic stability or influence in future relations.
“In that sense, Trump is currently Denmark’s best ally,” Jakobsen concluded.
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Contributions to this story were made by Associated Press writers Darlene Superville in Washington, Jamey Keaten in Geneva, and Stefanie Dazio in Berlin.
