Greenland PM slams US delegation's 'aggressive' visit

S E E D E D   C O N T E N T

Greenland Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede slammed second lady Usha Vance's trip to the Arctic island this week with a delegation of other U.S. officials as being part of the Trump administration's "very aggressive" pressure campaign to take over the semiautonomous Danish territory.

"Until recently, we could safely rely on the Americans, who were our allies and friends, and with whom we liked to work closely," Egede told the Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq on Sunday. "But that time is over, we have to admit that, because the new American leadership is completely and utterly indifferent to what we have stood together on so far, because now it is only a matter of them taking over our country over our heads."

"The very aggressive American pressure against Greenlandic society is now so serious that the level cannot be raised any higher. The only purpose is to show a show of power to us, and the signal is not to be misunderstood," he added.

President Trump has repeatedly stressed his desire for the U.S. to acquire the world's largest island for national security reasons. He has ramped up those calls since returning to office in January, despite pushback from both Danish and European Union officials.

"I think we're going to get it," the president said during his speech to a joint session of Congress on March 4. "One way or the other, we're going to get it."

Mineral-rich Greenland has been self-governing for decades but still relies on Denmark financially and for foreign affairs. Greenlanders recently voted overwhelmingly in favor of leaders who oppose U.S. annexation and instead support working toward full sovereignty, but it remains unclear when a vote on the broader breakaway issue will take place.

Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of Greenland's center-right Demokraatit party, which secured a majority in this month's parliamentary elections, and a supporter of the island's independence movement, also bristled at the visit.

"The fact that the Americans know we are in the middle of coalition talks and haven't even completed the municipal election, but still choose this moment to visit Greenland, once again shows a lack of respect for the Greenlandic people," Nielsen told Sermitsiaq.

Egede, who is the leader of the island's Inuit Ataqatigiit Party, which came in third in the election, called on the country's leaders to act quickly to reject America's overtures and for the island's allies to more forcefully defend them.

"We have tried all diplomatic and democratic options, but it all bounces off Donald Trump and his administration in their mission to come to own and control Greenland," he said. "We must therefore face the seriousness of the situation and recognize that every single minute counts for the Americans' dream of annexing our country not to become a reality."

Egede said the "continuous pressure" from the U.S. is "violating us as a people and our sovereignty."

"Nothing has come through with the Trump administration," he said. "On the contrary, they are increasing the pressure with each passing day, and now the international community, at least those we consider friends and allies, must step in instead of small hesitant declarations of support."

The White House announced Sunday that Vance will travel to the Nordic territory Thursday through Saturday "to visit historical sites, learn about Greenlandic heritage and attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenland's national dogsled race."

"Ms. Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity," the White House said.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright and national security adviser Mike Waltz are expected to join the vice president's wife on the trip.

Egede took particular issue with Waltz's participation.

"What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us," Egede said in the newspaper interview. "His mere presence in Greenland will no doubt fuel American belief in Trump's mission — and the pressure will increase."

National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes said in a statement that the trip among high-level U.S. officials "should not come as a surprise." Waltz and Wright will receive briefings from service members at the Department of Defense's northernmost installation at Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base.

"The U.S. has a vested security interest in the Arctic region," Hughes said.

Hughes noted it also "presents an opportunity to build on partnerships that respects Greenland's self-determination and advances economic cooperation."

"This is a visit to learn about Greenland, its culture, history and people and to attend a dogsled race the United States is proud to sponsor — plain and simple," he said.