Greenlandic leaders have sharply criticized an upcoming visit by a high-profile American delegation to the semi-autonomous Danish territory, which President Donald Trump has suggested the U.S. should annex.
The trip, led by Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, and including White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, is set to include visits to a U.S. military base and a national dogsled race.
Greenland's outgoing prime minister, Mute Egede, called the visit a "provocation" and stated that his caretaker government would not meet with the delegation. "Until recently, we could trust the Americans, who were our allies and friends, and with whom we enjoyed working closely. But that time is over," Egede said in an interview with the local newspaper Sermitsiaq.
The Greenlandic government, known as Naalakkersuisut, is currently in a caretaker period following a March 11 general election, where the pro-business Democrats won. The party advocates for a gradual approach to independence from Denmark. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of the Democrats, expressed disappointment over the timing of the visit, which coincides with coalition talks and upcoming municipal elections. He said the visit shows "a lack of respect for the Greenlandic people."
The delegation’s itinerary includes visits to the Pituffik space base, a U.S. military installation in Greenland, where Waltz and Wright are expected to receive briefings from U.S. service members. The group will also attend a national dogsled race, which the White House stated the U.S. is proud to sponsor, and visit historical sites.
Brian Hughes, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, defended the trip, emphasizing that the U.S. delegation aims to build on partnerships that respect Greenland’s self-determination and foster economic cooperation. "This is a visit to learn about Greenland, its culture, history, and people, and to attend a dogsled race, plain and simple," Hughes stated.
Trump’s suggestion of annexing Greenland has been a recurring theme since he returned to office in January. The island’s strategic location and rich mineral resources, including its proximity to the U.S. ballistic missile warning system, have made it a point of interest. However, both Greenland and Denmark have strongly opposed the idea.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded to the visit, expressing serious concerns. She affirmed that Denmark wants to cooperate with the U.S. but stressed that such cooperation must respect Greenland's sovereignty. "Dialogue with the U.S. regarding Greenland will take place in close coordination with the Danish government and the future Greenlandic government," Frederiksen said.
As tensions simmer over the future of Greenland’s political status, the U.S. visit has drawn attention to the complexities of international relations in the region.
The Department of Energy (DOE) has instructed its employees to label documents related to the agency’s review of grants and contracts under the controversial DOGE initiative with "legal privilege," in a bid to prevent them from being disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, criticized the United States for placing "unacceptable pressure" on Greenland, ahead of a high-profile U.S. delegation’s visit to the semi-autonomous Danish territory this week.
China has strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's recent executive order, which threatens to impose a 25% tariff on all goods imported to the U.S. from any country that imports oil from Venezuela.
President Donald Trump doubled down on his push for U.S. control over Greenland, stating on Monday that the territory could become a significant part of America's future.
U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that he is prepared to take a more flexible stance on new tariffs for automobiles and other goods than initially expected.
Italy is conducting a study of its space and satellite communications market, with the possibility of issuing a call for tender later this year, signaling the country’s growing interest in expanding its role in the satellite communications sector.
The European Commission has called for enhanced preparedness across Europe, urging improved stockpiling of critical supplies and encouraging citizens to maintain emergency provisions for at least 72 hours.
Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, highlighted the potential for international investors, particularly from the Global South, to contribute to the development of Russia's Arctic region, driven by the opening of the Northern Sea Route due to global warming.
Israeli citizens have protested outside the Knesset and Prime Minister’s residence against a controversial law that would alter the judicial appointment committee, a move critics warn could shift power within the judiciary and spark a constitutional crisis.
Britain's proposed assisted dying law for terminally ill individuals may be delayed until 2029, following amendments to the legislation that extend the timeline for implementation and add new safeguards, with the bill still needing approval from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated on Thursday that purchasing U.S. weapons does not pose a security risk for his country, but emphasized the need for Europe to reduce its reliance on American defense systems. His comments come amid growing discussions within Europe.
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilots, monitoring a Chinese navy warship as it navigated Australian waters, were alerted to a live-fire exercise via a civilian radio broadcast, defense officials revealed on Tuesday.
Mexican forces have dismantled a massive meth lab in Zacatecas, dealing a blow to a Sinaloa Cartel faction.
Serbia’s parliament has officially accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, setting a 30-day deadline for the formation of a new government or the calling of snap elections.
A devastating overnight drone attack on Kyiv, attributed to Russian forces, resulted in the deaths of three people, including a five-year-old child, and left ten others injured.
FIFA announced that the winners of this year’s 32-team Club World Cup, set to take place in the U.S. from June 14 to July 13, will receive up to $125 million in prize money, as part of a total prize pool of $1 billion for the tournament.
A South Korean appeals court has cleared opposition leader Lee Jae-myung of election law violations, overturning a previous conviction that could have hindered his presidential aspirations, though prosecutors plan to appeal the ruling.
China is expected to remain the top investor in chipmaking equipment in 2025, despite a 24% year-over-year decline, with global semiconductor investments rising 2% to $110 billion, driven by the growing demand for AI chip production.
German Finance Minister Joerg Kukies will travel to the United States on Wednesday to meet with U.S. counterpart Scott Bessent and officials from the IMF and World Bank, focusing on strengthening economic ties and addressing global financial challenges.
Italy is conducting a study of its space and satellite communications market, with the possibility of issuing a call for tender later this year, signaling the country’s growing interest in expanding its role in the satellite communications sector.
Italy is conducting a study of its space and satellite communications market, with the possibility of issuing a call for tender later this year, signaling the country’s growing interest in expanding its role in the satellite communications sector.
The European Commission has called for enhanced preparedness across Europe, urging improved stockpiling of critical supplies and encouraging citizens to maintain emergency provisions for at least 72 hours.
Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, highlighted the potential for international investors, particularly from the Global South, to contribute to the development of Russia's Arctic region, driven by the opening of the Northern Sea Route due to global warming.
Israeli citizens have protested outside the Knesset and Prime Minister’s residence against a controversial law that would alter the judicial appointment committee, a move critics warn could shift power within the judiciary and spark a constitutional crisis.
Britain's proposed assisted dying law for terminally ill individuals may be delayed until 2029, following amendments to the legislation that extend the timeline for implementation and add new safeguards, with the bill still needing approval from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment