It’s Happening – Second Lady Usha Vance Will Visit Greenland This Week
The saga of Trump and Greenland continues.
The last time I reported on the Arctic island, the Greenland parliamentary election resulted in a surprising victory for the center-right opposition party, Demokraatit (Democrats), which wants gradual independence from Denmark. The second spot went to Naleraq, which advocates for a rapid approach to independence from Denmark and appears to be a fan of a Compact of Free Alliance approach with the US.
Now Second Lady Usha Vance is scheduled to visit Greenland for a few days later this week, accompanied by one of her three children. According to the White House, Vance’s trip is intended to be a cultural visit, during which she and the US delegation will:
- Explore historical sites
- Learn about Greenlandic heritage
- Attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenland’s national dogsled race
The Avannaata Qimussersu seems fun. The dog race features approximately 37 mushers and 444 sled dogs.and serves as a celebration of Greenlandic traditions, demonstrating the importance of dog sledding in the country’s culture. It provides an opportunity for both locals and visitors to witness the skill and endurance of the mushers and their dogs as they navigate the challenging Arctic terrain.
I am sure that Vance will also conduct a charm offensive, in order to make Greenlanders receptive to partnering with this nation for better trade and business connections. However, the entourage will also include other key officials in the Trump administration as well.
US officials joining her on the Greenland trek include National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.Both Waltz and Wright are expected to tour a military base in Greenland during their visit.Before President Trump took office, first son Donald Trump Jr. flew to Greenland has part of an overture to the giant island while the Trump administration seeks to acquire it.
Logically, one can conclude that energy and mineral resource development opportunities will be explored by interested Greenlanders, especially those taking charge. Waltz and Wright are expected to inspect the Pituffik space facility, a U.S. military base in Greenland, where they will receive updates from U.S. military personnel stationed there (which aligns with the enhanced Arctic security emphasis.
Now, the mainstream media is playing up all the tensions, especially statements made by the outgoing Prime Minister.
Greenland Prime Minister Múte 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.
However, I would like to note that currently, Greenland is under a caretaker administration. Egede, continuing only holds power until a new coalition government forms. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, as the leader of the party that won the most seats, is likely to become the next Prime Minister, but this is not yet confirmed…and he is far more business minded.
In conclusion, when President Donald Trump finishes his term, our Arctic security situation is likely to be far better than when he found it. The Greenlanders like likely to be much better off, too.
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