US Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife were scheduled to visit a US military base in Greenland. The trip was cancelled due to outrage from Greenlanders and Danes who were unhappy that the original itinerary had been planned without their consent.
The reconsideration of the couple's visit to the semi-autonomous territory of Denmark comes as relations between the United States and the Scandinavian country worsen after US President Donald Trump repeatedly said the United States should have some form of control over the mineral-rich territory of Denmark, a traditional US ally and NATO member.
Friday's one-day visit to the U.S. Space Force base at Pituffik on Greenland's northwest coast eliminated the risk of breaking potential diplomatic taboos by sending a delegation to another country without an official invitation.
It will also reduce the chances that Mr. Vance and his wife will run into locals outraged by Mr. Trump's annexation claims.
Ahead of the visit, four of the five parties elected to Greenland's parliament earlier this month agreed to form a new broad coalition government, uniting to resist Trump's plans for the territory.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Tuesday that the visit, originally planned for three days, had created “unacceptable pressure.”
On Thursday, Danish public broadcaster DR quoted her as saying: “We do want to work with the Americans in the area of defence and security for the kingdom. But Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders.”
Usha Vance originally announced a solo trip to the Awannaata Kimussersu Dog Sled Race in Sisimiut.
Her husband later said he would join her on the trip, but after protests from Greenland and Denmark, he changed the itinerary again, limiting the couple to a one-day visit to the military post only.
However, in an interview on Wednesday, Mr Trump repeated his desire for Greenland to be under US control.
Asked whether people there were “eager” to become US citizens, Mr Trump said he did not know, “but I think we have to do it and convince them.”
Residents of Greenland's capital Nuuk, which lies about 1,500 kilometres (930 miles) south of Pituffik, expressed concern about Mr Vance's visit and US interest in their island.
Cora Hoy, 22, said Mr Vance “could come if he wanted, but of course Greenland is not for sale”.
She added that “this is not normal here” given all the attention being paid to Greenland.
“I feel like every day is about (Trump) now, and I just want to get away from it.”
“It's all a bit crazy. Of course the local population is a bit shocked,” said Inuk Christensen, 30.
“My opinion is the same as everyone else's: of course, you don't do that. People don't just come here and say they want to buy this place.”
As the sea gateway to the Arctic and North Atlantic approaches North America, Greenland is becoming increasingly strategically valuable as both China and Russia seek access to its waterways and natural resources.
The remote Pituffik space base is the northernmost facility of the United States Department of Defense.
The base was built following a 1951 defense agreement between Denmark and the United States. It supports missile warning, missile defense, and space surveillance operations for the United States and NATO.
Pituffik Base is located approximately 1,200 kilometres (750 miles) north of the Arctic Circle and 1,524 kilometres (947 miles) south of the North Pole.
The base is locked in ice for nine months of the year, but its airfield is open year-round. It is in constant darkness from November to February, and in constant daylight from May to August.
It is under the jurisdiction of the 821st Space Group and is home to the world's northernmost deep-water seaport.
During his first term, Mr Trump floated the idea of buying the world's largest island, although Denmark insisted it was not for sale.
Greenlanders have also strongly rejected Mr Trump's plans.
Mr. Vance has repeatedly criticized longtime European allies for relying on the United States for military support, openly antagonizing their partners in ways that raise concerns about U.S. reliability.
Meanwhile, opponents of Trump's plans to control Greenland have announced a rally in front of the US embassy in the Danish capital on Saturday, DR reported on Thursday.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
