Second Lady Usha Vance to Visit Greenland Amid Trump’s Renewed Interest in U.S. Control
Second Lady Usha Vance is set to visit Greenland this week, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s revived discussions on the United States taking control of the self-governing, mineral-rich territory, which belongs to American ally Denmark.
Vance will depart on Thursday and return on Saturday, accompanied by one of her three children as part of a U.S. delegation. The delegation plans to visit historic sites and engage with Greenlandic culture, her office confirmed.
During her visit, she will attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenland’s prestigious national dogsled race, featuring 37 mushers and 444 dogs. A statement from her office expressed enthusiasm for the event, noting the delegation’s excitement in celebrating Greenlandic culture and unity.
Reports from media outlets in Greenland and Denmark indicate that Vance will be accompanied by Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz. However, the White House and National Security Council have not commented on the trip’s broader implications.
President Trump has long expressed interest in acquiring Greenland. During his first term, he publicly mused about purchasing the island, despite firm rejections from Denmark and Greenland’s leaders. Trump insists his renewed focus is for strategic national security reasons, not territorial expansion.
“I think we will have it,” Trump stated shortly after beginning his second term on Jan. 20. The U.S. already maintains a military base on the island, and his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., visited it in January.
Vice President JD Vance reinforced the administration’s stance, stating on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures that President Trump is prioritizing American interests over European objections.
“Denmark is not doing its job with Greenland and is not being a good ally,” said Vance. “If that means we need to take more territorial interest in Greenland, that is what President Trump is going to do.” He added that Trump “doesn’t care” about European protests and is focused on protecting American citizens.
Denmark, a NATO ally, has consistently rejected any notion of selling Greenland. Greenland’s parliament also issued a joint statement last week reaffirming its right to independence on its own terms, dismissing Trump’s remarks.
Trump, however, continues to question Denmark’s historical claim to Greenland. During a recent Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, he remarked, “Denmark’s very far away from Greenland. A boat landed there 200 years ago or something, and they say they have rights to it. I don’t know if that’s true. I don’t think it is, actually.”
Beyond Greenland, Trump has made bold statements about other territories. He has refused to rule out military intervention in Panama to reclaim control of the canal, suggested that Canada should become America’s 51st state, and proposed U.S. oversight of the war-torn Gaza Strip, envisioning its redevelopment into a “Riviera”-like resort.
As Usha Vance embarks on her Greenland trip, it remains unclear whether her visit will be solely cultural or if it signifies a deeper political agenda in line with Trump’s ambitions.
Source: AP News – Second lady Usha Vance will visit Greenland as Trump talks up US takeover
