In a diplomatic trip marked by rejection, U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, were met with open resistance during their visit to Greenland on Friday. The visit, part of the Trump administration’s continued push to assert influence over the semi-autonomous Danish territory, drew criticism from both local residents and political leaders.
As reported by HotNews, officials from the U.S. Consulate made efforts ahead of the visit to find locals willing to meet with the Vice President’s wife. The answer from Groenlandic residents was unequivocal: “No, thank you.”
Even a local travel company that initially agreed to host Usha Vance later declined. Tupilak Travel announced on Facebook that it refused to participate in “a media spectacle” associated with a political agenda, emphasizing, “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders.”
Danish and Greenlandic leaders push back
The trip stirred political waters in Copenhagen as well. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen labeled the visit as “unacceptable pressure” from the U.S., stating bluntly, “President Trump is serious. He wants Greenland.”
In response to the visit, Greenland’s interim government clarified it had not issued any formal or informal invitation for the U.S. delegation.
Amid growing concerns over American intentions, the official itinerary was scaled back. Instead of meeting locals or attending cultural events, the Vances limited their stay to a tour of the U.S. Space Force base at Pituffik.
Strategic ambitions and public relations missteps
At the Pituffik base, JD Vance reiterated Washington’s desire for stronger control over Greenland, citing the “neglect” by Denmark in securing the Arctic region. He argued that Greenlanders would be safer and better off under the U.S. security umbrella.
“We’re the only nation on Earth that will truly respect their sovereignty and security,” said Vance, while suggesting that Denmark had failed to dedicate the necessary resources for regional defense.
Despite these remarks, the visit appeared to deepen distrust rather than foster goodwill, adding a new layer of tension to U.S.-Greenland-Denmark relations already strained by President Trump’s repeated assertions that America should acquire the island.
