In an unprecedented visit to Greenland, Vice President JD Vance is set to face considerable backlash as he arrives on Friday. This marks the first time a sitting U.S. Vice President has traveled to the island, yet local inhabitants express sentiments of unwelcomeness. Greenland’s government did not extend an invitation to Vance, and anti-visit sentiments are palpable in light of former President Trump’s well-documented desire to "acquire" the territory.
Initially, the administration had broader plans for the trip, including participation from Second Lady Usha Vance at a prestigious dog sled race and various cultural engagements in the capital, Nuuk. However, these plans encountered significant local resistance. Protests were organized along the planned route from the airport, prompting the government of Greenland to denounce the visit as “unwanted” and “highly aggressive.”
The organizers of the dog sled race were particularly vocal in their opposition, clarifying that Usha Vance had not been invited to attend their event. A representative for the Second Lady countered this claim, stating that she had received "multiple invitations." In response to the unfolding situation, the White House has significantly toned down the itinerary, confining Vance and his party's visit to a military base situated in northern Greenland, far removed from the protests and public engagement sites.
Denmark, which maintains a semiautonomous relationship with Greenland, also weighed in on the matter. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, addressing the situation this week, emphasized the complexities faced by both territories as they navigate this diplomatic conundrum. The administration's adjustments to the Vice President’s itinerary reflect broader tensions and a desire to minimize possible public dissent during this controversial visit.
