Greenlandic and Danish officials have reacted with criticism to a visit by a US delegation to the island without prior notice.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede described the sending of a US delegation to the island as “interference in political affairs” and issued a sharp rebuke to Washington. Speaking to Sermitsiaq, one of Greenland’s leading newspapers, Egede stated, “The sole purpose of this visit is to show off power, and the message conveyed must not be misunderstood.” Egede also mentioned that a clear message had been previously communicated to Washington that “no discussions on any matter would be held until a new Greenland government is formed.” Egede further expressed on his Facebook account, “Our independence and democracy should be respected without external interference.” Leading the delegation, which also includes US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, is Vice President James David Vance’s wife, Usha Vance. Expected to visit Greenland with the delegation on Thursday, Vance will tour historical sites and receive information about Greenland from officials during the visit, which will conclude on Saturday. According to a statement from Vance’s office, Usha Vance will also participate in a national dogsled race during the visit. Refuting the characterization of the US delegation’s visit as “just a private trip,” Egede stated, “(Waltz) is the most trusted adviser of Trump, and even his presence in Greenland will reinforce Americans’ belief in Trump’s mission, increasing pressure after this visit.” Egede has been leading the interim government following the general elections on March 11. “INAPPROPRIATE APPETITE”

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen also harshly criticized the visit, stating in an interview with TV2, “This indicates an inappropriate appetite among Americans. As the US delegation’s visit comes up, a new election was held in Greenland and a government has not yet been formed.” The US announced that National Security Adviser Mike Waltz would visit Greenland this week with his wife Usha Vance and son. Usha Vance was planned to watch a dogsled race with her son as part of the visit. As reported in the Greenlandic media, the delegation also includes former mining executive and US Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Moreover, two Hercules planes belonging to the US were spotted at Nuuk Airport on the island, reported to be a team sent for security preparations in the vast Arctic island. “NOT INVITED, THEY ANNOUNCED THEIR COMING”

Senior Fellow Ulrik Pram Gad from the Danish Institute for International Studies described the US move as “an aggressive move,” adding, “They were not invited by Greenlanders. They were not invited by Danes. They simply announced their coming.” Currently, efforts are ongoing to form a new coalition government in Greenland after the election. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the leader of the center-right Democrats Party that won the election, will most likely become the country’s new prime minister. Nielsen had previously described Trump’s ambitions to buy Greenland as “inappropriate” and stated that they would not accept any pressure during government formation efforts. Pram Gad mentioned that the visit, made at a time when there is no official in Greenland, could convey a message from the US that “Nobody has established control here, and we need to step in.” Gad also noted that Usha Vance’s visit is part of a sort of “fake” friendly approach, but the presence of Chris Wright in the delegation clearly conveys the message, “We are after the resources here.”TRUMP’S GREENLAND PLAN

US President Donald Trump, who returned to office in January, repeatedly expressed his desire for the US to acquire Greenland for national security reasons and did not rule out the use of military force to achieve this goal. Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly rejected Trump’s demands, emphasizing that the future of Greenland can only be decided by the people of Greenland.

WHY IS GREENLAND CRUCIAL?

Greenland possesses extensive untapped mineral and oil reserves. The region, rich in rare earth elements, also holds critical minerals for green energy transformation. Additionally, Greenland’s strategic position between North America and Europe has increased the interest of the US, China, and Russia in the region. The melting glaciers due to climate change have opened up new sea trade routes in the region, further enhancing the global powers’ interest in Greenland. Public opinion polls show that the majority of Greenland’s 57,000 inhabitants support independence from Denmark but are opposed to becoming part of Washington.