U.S. Delegation Visits Greenland to Promote Annexation
A high-profile U.S. delegation will visit Greenland this week to visit an American military base and watch a dogsled race, as President Donald Trump promotes the idea of a U.S. annexation of the strategic, semi-autonomous Danish territory.
Delegation Members
The delegation will be led by Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, and will include White House national security adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
Itinerary
Waltz and Wright will visit the Pituffik space base, the U.S. military base in Greenland, where they will receive briefings from U.S. service members. They will then join Vance to visit historical sites and attend the national dogsled race.
Goals of the Visit
According to Brian Hughes, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, the U.S. team is "confident that this visit presents an opportunity to build on partnerships that respects Greenland’s self determination and advances economic cooperation." Hughes emphasized that the visit is "a visit to learn about Greenland, its culture, history, and people, and to attend a dogsled race the United States is proud to sponsor, plain and simple."
Background on U.S. Annexation
Trump has made U.S. annexation of Greenland a major talking point since taking office for a second time on January 20. Greenland’s strategic location and rich mineral resources could benefit the U.S. It lies along the shortest route from Europe to North America, vital for the U.S. ballistic missile warning system.
Reactions from Greenland and Denmark
The governments of both Greenland and Denmark have voiced opposition to U.S. annexation. The Greenlandic government, currently in a caretaker period after a March 11 general election won by a party that favors a slow approach to independence from Denmark, did not reply to requests for comments.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a written comment reacting to news of the visit that "this is something we take seriously." She emphasized that Denmark wants to cooperate with the U.S., but it should be cooperation based on "the fundamental rules of sovereignty." She added that dialogue with the U.S. regarding Greenland would take place in close coordination with the Danish government and the future Greenlandic government.
Conclusion
The U.S. delegation’s visit to Greenland is a significant development in the ongoing debate over U.S. annexation of the territory. The visit is seen as an opportunity for the U.S. to build on partnerships with Greenland and advance economic cooperation. However, the move is likely to be met with resistance from the governments of both Greenland and Denmark, who have emphasized the importance of respecting Greenland’s sovereignty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of the U.S. delegation’s visit to Greenland?
A: The visit is to build on partnerships that respect Greenland’s self determination and advance economic cooperation.
Q: What is the current status of the U.S. annexation of Greenland?
A: The idea of U.S. annexation has been raised by President Trump since taking office for a second time on January 20.
Q: How has the Greenlandic government responded to the U.S. annexation idea?
A: The Greenlandic government, currently in a caretaker period, did not reply to requests for comments on the matter.
Q: What is the stance of the Danish government on U.S. annexation of Greenland?
A: Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has emphasized the importance of respecting Greenland’s sovereignty and has called for dialogue with the U.S. based on "the fundamental rules of sovereignty."