U.S. second lady visits Greenland amid Trump’s annexation aspirations

Monday 24 March 2025 - 10:10

By: Zahouani Ilham

U.S. second lady visits Greenland amid Trump’s annexation aspirations

Usha Vance, the wife of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, will embark on an official visit to Greenland from Thursday to Saturday, the White House announced on Sunday. Her trip comes as former President Donald Trump reiterates his ambition to annex the autonomous Danish territory.

According to a White House statement, the Second Lady will travel with her son and a U.S. delegation to explore historical sites, learn about Greenland’s heritage, and attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, the country's national dog sled race. The statement emphasized the delegation’s enthusiasm for witnessing this major event and celebrating Greenlandic culture and unity.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reacted to the announcement, telling the Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq that the visit "cannot be seen independently of the public statements made" by Trump. She affirmed Denmark’s willingness to collaborate with the U.S. but insisted that such cooperation must be based on fundamental principles of sovereignty and mutual respect.

Frederiksen also stressed that any dialogue between the U.S. and Greenland would be conducted in close coordination between the Danish government and Greenland's future administration.

Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has repeatedly expressed his determination to gain control of Greenland, even suggesting the use of force. The Arctic territory, four times the size of France, holds significant strategic value due to its geographical position—situated on the shortest missile route between the U.S. and Russia—as well as its vast mineral resources.

In mid-March, Trump stated that U.S. annexation of Greenland would eventually “happen” and claimed it would enhance "international security." During his first term (2017–2021), he had already proposed purchasing Greenland, a move that was firmly rejected by Danish and Greenlandic authorities.