U.S. President Donald Trump is ramping up pressure on Greenland in his bid to seize it, according to the Arctic island’s outgoing prime minister.
Múte B. Egede said Sunday that the “very aggressive” American posture toward Greenland is “so serious that the level cannot be raised any further,” in comments to local newspaper Sermitsiaq.
He was referring to an upcoming trip by Usha Vance, the second lady of the U.S and wife of Vice President JD Vance, who will land in Nuuk this Thursday, alongside U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
“We are now at a level where this cannot in any way be characterized as a harmless visit from a politician’s wife. What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us, and the message is clear,” Egede said, adding that the “diplomatic attempt in dialogue has gone in vain.”Egede also stressed in a post on Facebook that there will be no meetings with the Greenlandic government — and that these can only take place after the new administration has been formed.
On Sunday, two American military planes landed in Nuuk. A spokesperson from the U.S. consulate told Sermitsiaq the jets arrived to provide logistical support for the upcoming visit. Meanwhile, Danish police sent extra forces to Greenland.
Egede also called on international allies to step up their support for the self-ruling Danish territory.
“The fact that our other allies in the international community seem to be hiding in a corner, almost whispering that they support us, has no effect. And if they don’t speak out loudly against how the USA treats Greenland, the situation will escalate day by day,” he said.
Greenland’s likely new prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who won an election earlier this month, urged Greenlanders “not to panic” and focus on forming of the new government.
“The visit, which is said to be ‘private,’ is pure charm offensive, and if we allow ourselves to be influenced by it, for example by rushing to form a new coalition, we may become even more vulnerable to pressure … so let’s cool our nerves, ” he told Sermitsiaq.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to take over Greenland, which he said the U.S. needs for “national security purposes,” and has refused to rule out using military or economic coercion to do so. Earlier this month, Trump said he will take it “one way or another.”
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Denmark takes the Vance-Waltz visit “very seriously.”
“The visit from the United States cannot be seen in isolation from the public statements that have been made,” said Frederiksen.
Anders Vistisen, a Danish hard-right MEP who sits in the European Parliament with The Patriots group, did not mince his words.
“Their visit is as provocative as it is gratuitous. Coming just before the local elections, it’s also an interference in our democratic process. Mrs Vance and Mr Waltz are, of course, welcome as tourists and visitors to our beautiful Greenland but not as an advance scouting party for a future interference or occupation by the United States,” he said.
“Greenland belongs to and with the Kingdom of Denmark. They should sling their hook elsewhere,” he added.
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