President Donald Trump is escalating his controversial efforts to assert control over Greenland, sending top administration officials to the Danish autonomous territory—a move that Greenlandic leaders are decrying as “highly aggressive,” according to The New York Times.
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright are scheduled to visit Greenland earlier in the week, while Usha Vance, the wife of Vice President JD Vance, will travel there on Thursday. The White House claims that Usha Vance’s trip is purely recreational, citing her attendance at a dog race with her family.
“Ms. Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity,” the White House stated. However, comments from her husband contradict this narrative.
In a Sunday interview with Fox News, JD Vance accused Denmark of “not doing its job” and “not being a good ally” by allegedly restricting U.S. access to strategic sea lanes around Greenland. He suggested that these restrictions justify U.S. intervention, stating, “That is what President Trump is going to do because he doesn’t care about what the Europeans scream at us; he cares about putting the interests of American citizens first.”
Rising Tensions in Greenland and Denmark
Greenlandic leaders have strongly condemned the U.S. administration’s moves.
“What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland?” Prime Minister Mute B. Egede asked on Sunday. “The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us.”
Egede warned that if allies fail to denounce U.S. actions, the situation could escalate further. Meanwhile, Danish citizens have begun boycotting American products in protest of the Trump administration’s attempts to claim Greenland as U.S. territory.
The visit by Trump officials comes at a particularly tense moment in U.S.-Danish relations. Even as the administration attempts to assert influence over Greenland, it has simultaneously asked Denmark to help supply eggs to the United States amid a nationwide shortage caused by the bird flu.
Greenlanders Reject U.S. Takeover
Despite Trump’s push, Greenland’s residents have consistently expressed opposition to U.S. annexation. Polls show overwhelming disapproval of the idea.
In January, Donald Trump Jr. visited Greenland in an attempt to drum up local support, but the effort reportedly fell flat. According to multiple reports, organizers had to recruit unhoused individuals with the promise of free lunch to pose for photos with Trump’s eldest son, creating the illusion of local enthusiasm.
Diplomatic Fallout with Canada
Trump’s expansionist rhetoric is also straining relations with Canada, one of the United States’ closest allies and trade partners. As he continues his trade war with Ottawa, Trump has made inflammatory remarks suggesting that Canada could become the 51st state.
These statements have galvanized Canadian resistance. Polls indicate that Canadians overwhelmingly reject U.S. annexation, and the backlash has strengthened the country’s Liberal Party, which had been trailing in polls but now appears poised for a competitive outcome in the upcoming April election.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who succeeded Justin Trudeau, denounced Trump’s threats.
“President Trump claims that Canada isn’t a real country. He wants to break us so America can own us. We will not let that happen,” Carney declared on Sunday. “We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trump’s unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty.”
As Trump doubles down on his aggressive foreign policy, opposition continues to mount both at home and abroad. With Denmark, Greenland, and Canada all voicing sharp resistance, the geopolitical implications of Trump’s expansionist ambitions remain uncertain but increasingly volatile.
