Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede has sharply criticized an upcoming visit by U.S. Second Lady Usha Vance and the National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, labeling it a very ‘aggressive’ and ‘dangerous’.
Speaking to Greenlandic news outlet Sermitsiaq, Egede expressed alarm over the trip’s implications, arguing that it transcends a simple diplomatic gesture and instead signals a bold demonstration of American power amid ongoing tensions over U.S. ambitions toward the Arctic island.
The White House announced the visit last Thursday, detailing that Vance, accompanied by one of her sons and a U.S. delegation, will explore Greenland’s historical landmarks, immerse herself in its cultural heritage, and attend the Avannaata Qimussersua, the nation’s celebrated dogsled race.
However, the inclusion of Waltz, described by Egede as President Donald Trump’s “closest and most confidential advisor”, has fueled suspicions about the visit’s true intent.
“What is the security advisor doing in Greenland?” Egede questioned pointedly. “This cannot be seen as an innocent trip by a politician’s wife. It’s a clear message, and its purpose is unmistakable.”
Egede’s remarks come against the backdrop of President Trump’s persistent calls to annex Greenland, a self-governing territory under Denmark’s authority.
Trump has repeatedly emphasized Greenland’s strategic importance to U.S. national security, a stance he reiterated earlier this month during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. “I think it will happen,” Trump confidently told reporters, underscoring his administration’s focus on the resource-rich island.
The timing of the visit adds another layer of complexity. Greenland is navigating a pivotal political transition following elections earlier this month, where Egede’s left-wing Inuit Ataqatigiit party lost its grip on power to the center-right Demokraatit party.
The victorious Demokraatit, now led by Jens-Frederik Nielsen, champions independence from Denmark—a goal that clashes with Trump’s annexation rhetoric. Nielsen has openly branded Trump “a threat to our political independence,” according to NPR, amplifying local resistance to U.S. overtures.
In his Sermitsiaq interview, Egede urged Greenland’s international allies to move beyond quiet support and take a firm stand against what he describes as America’s encroachment. “Our allies can’t just whisper their backing, they need to speak out loudly and clearly,” he insisted.
“Greenland has done everything to show that the U.S.’s unrelenting pressure violates our people and our sovereignty. If this silence persists, the situation will worsen daily, and American aggression will only grow.”
The visit, set to occur later this week, has prompted heightened security measures, with Danish police reinforcing their presence in Greenland—a standard precaution for high-profile diplomatic engagements, per local media.
Yet, for Egede, the stakes are far higher than routine protocol. He warned that Waltz’s presence alone could embolden U.S. belief in Trump’s annexation vision, intensifying pressure on Greenland at a vulnerable moment.
