‘It can’t escalate any further’—outraged reactions to Vance visit from Greenland and Denmark

By Elías Thorsson March 24, 2025
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Leader of the party IA Mute B. Egede, and the leader of the political party Demokraatit, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, are seen among the protesters at a demonstration march ending in front of the U.S. consulate, under the slogan, “Greenland belongs to the Greenlandic people”, in Nuuk, Greenland, March 15, 2025 Christian Klindt Soelbeck/Ritzau Scanpix

U.S. Second Lady Usha Vance will be visiting Greenland from Thursday March 27 to Saturday, accompanied by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Framed by many as a politically charged charm offensive amid President Donald Trump’s renewed push to annex the island, the trip has drawn fierce criticism from Greenlandic and Danish leaders alike.

From accusations of disrespect and manipulation to calls for international intervention, the visit has ignited deep concern about sovereignty, timing and intent—especially as it coincides with Greenland’s ongoing government negotiations and follows a string of controversial U.S. overtures toward the Arctic territory.

‘A lack of respect for the people of Greenland’

Demokraatit chairman and likely next Prime Minister of Greenland, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, sharply criticized the timing of the U.S. delegation’s visit, calling it a sign of disrespect toward the Greenlandic people.

Candidate Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Demokraatit, speaks during a debate at KNR (Greenlandic Broadcasting Corporation) in Nuuk, Greenland April 5, 2021. Ritzau Scanpix/via REUTERS

“The fact that the Americans are well aware that we’re in the middle of political negotiations and haven’t even completed our municipal elections—and still choose this moment to come to Greenland—once again shows a lack of respect for the people of Greenland,” he said.

    While acknowledging the current political uncertainty, Nielsen urged calm and warned against reacting impulsively to outside pressure.

    “It’s true that we don’t yet have a functioning Naalakkersuisut (parliament), but it’s important that we don’t panic just because of external pressure. We know that hasty and panicked decisions can do more harm than good.”

    He emphasized that the coalition-building process must remain deliberate and stable.

    “That’s why I’m determined that we take the time we need to reach a solid and lasting political agreement. As is well known, we have 45 days available for negotiations.”

    Nielsen reiterated his goal of forming a broad coalition and confirmed that talks with all parties remain ongoing.

    He also dismissed the U.S. visit—officially labeled as private—as politically motivated.

    “The visit is nothing more than a charm offensive. If we let ourselves be influenced by it—for example, by rushing the formation of a new coalition—we risk becoming even more vulnerable to pressure.” “So let’s keep a cool head and stick to our shared goal of showing the world that our country is not for sale, that we possess sovereignty over this land, and that it must be respected—and cannot be taken from us.”

    The international community needs to step in

    “It is understandable if Greenlanders are worried.”

    That was the message from Greenland’s acting head of government, Múte B. Egede, in a post shared on Facebook.

    “I have great understanding for people’s concern. Because we have recently experienced something we’ve never seen before—where we have been treated in an unacceptable manner, not worthy of close friends and allies,” Egede wrote.

    In an interview with Greenlandic media outlet Sermitsiaq, he issued a stark warning about what he views as growing American pressure on Greenland and appealed for international assistance.

    “Standing together in Greenland hasn’t helped. Speaking out hasn’t helped and diplomatic attempts at dialogue have failed. Now the international community must respond,” Egede told the outlet.

    He emphasized that Greenland needs clear and vocal support from the outside world and that this support must be louder and more visible than ever before if it is to make any difference.

    The pressure, he said, has reached such a severe level that “it can’t escalate any further.”

    Reminiscent of Russia’s annexation of Crimea

    Lecturer at the Danish Defence College, Claus Mathiesen, wrote on X that the United States’ actions toward Greenland are reminiscent of the period leading up to Russia’s annexation of Crimea, reports Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq.

    “American politicians will come in a steady stream and agitate for Greenland to become American. Promise that everything will be better,” Mathiesen wrote on X.

    Mathiesen is a frequently cited expert on the war in Ukraine. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, when the peninsula was part of Ukraine.

    Senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS), Ulrik Pram Gad, largely agrees with the comparison to the Crimea annexation.

    “Yes, the parallels in rhetoric and methods have also been clear to me since January 7 (the visit from Trump Jr., ed.),”

    “The difference is that it’s hard to imagine this ending with people shooting at each other in the conflict over Greenland. And that also makes it harder to imagine not just how it unfolds, but how it could possibly be resolved,” Ulrik Pram Gad told Sermitsiaq.

    Send the bill for the annexation trip to Trump
    The visit has also stirred political backlash in Denmark, where members of parliament have criticized the use of public funds to support the trip.
    Danish People’s Party tax spokesperson Peter Kofod argued that expenses related to Usha Vance’s travel to Greenland should be sent directly to President Trump, calling it “a charm offensive that ends up being paid for by the Danish people.” Kofod emphasized that Vance, who is not on an official state visit, arrived uninvited and “with the sole purpose of annexing part of Danish territory.”
    Over 100 Danish police officers were reportedly deployed to Nuuk ahead of the delegation’s arrival, despite several Greenlandic politicians declining to meet with Vance.