Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said today that the US is putting ‘unacceptable pressure’ on her nation and Greenland, ahead of a trip to the semi-autonomous Danish territory this week by a high-profile US delegation.
The US visit, which runs from Thursday to Saturday, will be led by Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, and will include White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
‘I have to say that it is unacceptable pressure being placed on Greenland and Denmark in this situation. And it is pressure that we will resist,’ Frederiksen told local broadcaster TV2, adding: ‘This is clearly not a visit that is about what Greenland needs or wants.’
Frederiksen said representatives from Greenland, the world’s biggest island, were ‘clear’ that ‘they do not want a visit right not, because they do not have a government, referring to the election on the island earlier this month.
Brian Hughes, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said the delegation aimed to ‘learn about Greenland, its culture, history, and people.’
Frederiksen dismissed the idea of a private visit: ‘You cannot make a private visit with official representatives from another country.’
Donald Trump first pitched the idea of the US taking over Greenland during his first time, but has in recent weeks refused to rule out using military or economic coercion to get his way.
Trump even said he may call NATO in to help the US take over the island, telling the defense bloc’s chief General Mark Rutte earlier this month: ‘You know, Mark, we need that for international security.
Donald Trump (pictured) is putting unacceptable pressure on Greenland, Denmark’s Prime Minister said today
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (pictured) made the comments ahead of a trip to the semi-autonomous Danish territory this week by a high-profile US delegation
‘We have a lot of our favourite players cruising around the coast, and we have to be careful. We’ll be talking to you.’
He claimed it was an ‘absolute necessity’ for his nation’s security.
But Greenland’s leaders have condemned Trump’s claims.
The island’s outgoing prime minister, Múte Bourup Egede, said: ‘We are now at a level where it can in no way be characterized as a harmless visit from a politician’s wife.’
‘What is the security advisor doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to show a demonstration of power to us.’
‘He is Trump’s confidential and closest advisor, and his presence in Greenland alone will certainly make the Americans believe in Trump’s mission, and the pressure will increase after the visit.’
Its likely next leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, accused the US of refusing to show the people of the island proper respect.
Asked on Monday whether the Second Lady’s visit to Greenland was a provocation, Trump responded: ‘This is friendliness, not provocation.
‘We’re dealing with a lot of people from Greenland that would like to see something happen with respect to their being properly protected and properly taken care of. If they’re calling us, we’re not calling them.’
People take part in a demonstration in front of the US consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, on 15 March 2025, under the slogan ‘Greenland belongs to the Greenlandic people’
Lars Jorgen Kleist of the Siumut party, wearing a MAGA hat, looks on during Greenland’s legislative elections in Nuuk, Greenland, on March 11, 2025
When Greenland’s prime minister Mute B. Egede learned about the back-to-back trips, he was incensed and raged in a statement to local media
The administration touted Vance’s three-day visit to Greenland on Sunday, revealing she would travel with her son from Thursday to Saturday to explore historical and cultural sites and watch the annual dogsled race
He claimed that Greenland was itching to leave Denmark: ‘They really like the idea because they have been somewhat abandoned, as you know. They haven’t been taken well, good care of. And I think Greenland is going to be something that maybe is in our future.’
Greenland has been a part of Denmark for around 300 years, and there have long been tensions between the island and the Nordic nation.
Though recent polls revealed nearly 80% of Greenlanders want independence from Denmark, an even higher proportion rejected the idea that the island ought to be a part of the US.
