Usha Vance's Greenland visit amid Trump tensions
Usha Vance, the wife of U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance, will soon visit Greenland to participate in local cultural events.
What do you need to know?
- Usha Vance will arrive in Greenland by the middle of next week, visiting cities such as the capital, Nuuk, and Sisimiut.
- In Sisimiut, on March 29th, the Avannaata Qimussersua dog sled race will take place, which Vance plans to admire.
- The visit occurs in the context of tensions related to U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks about acquiring Greenland.
Why is Usha Vance visiting Greenland?
According to information provided by "Sermitsiaq", Usha Vance, the wife of U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance, plans to visit Greenland to participate in local cultural events. She particularly intends to admire the famous dog sled race in Sisimiut, which is an important part of Greenlanders' identity. This visit takes place amidst tensions related to President Trump's remarks about acquiring Greenland.
What are the reactions of local authorities?
The mayor of Nuuk, Malik Berthelsen, confirmed Usha Vance's arrival but declined to meet with her due to the ongoing campaign before Greenland's municipal elections, scheduled for April 1st. It's worth noting that in mid-March, one of the largest protests in the island's history took place in front of the U.S. consulate in Nuuk, opposing Trump's remarks.
What are the broader contexts of the visit?
Usha Vance's visit coincides with a time when leaders of all five parties in Greenland's parliament issued a statement opposing Trump's repeated remarks about acquiring Greenland. "We find this behaviour toward friends and allies in a defence alliance unacceptable," they emphasized. In January, Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., also visited Greenland, sparking speculation about potential U.S. investments on the island.
