A Greenland tourism company planned to welcome Usha Vance but has now called off the trip due to concerns over the Trump administration’s hidden motives for the visit.
President Trump has openly expressed his desire to acquire Greenland, and residents have criticized his efforts, viewing the Second Lady’s intended visit as part of a covert operation.
Tupilak Travel in Nuuk revealed on Facebook on Wednesday that the US Consulate had reached out to them to schedule a meet-and-greet with Usha.
She wanted to visit their souvenir store on Friday as part of her trip.
‘We replied that she would be happy to,’ the store owner said. ‘Everyone is welcome in the store.’
The trip was originally described as a family-focused holiday where Usha and her child could engage with Greenlandic traditions and attend the yearly dogsled contest.
Then it emerged that she would be joined by embattled National Security advisor Mike Waltz, sparking fury among the nation’s leaders – including the prime minister.
But the final straw came when Usha’s husband, Vice President JD Vance, revealed he, too, would join her on the trip – arguing that he didn’t want to miss out on all the fun.
A Greenlandic tourism business which was due to host Usha Vance has canceled the trip amid the Trump administration’s ‘underlying agenda’ for the visit
Tupilak Travel in Nuuk (pictured) revealed on Facebook on Wednesday that the US Consulate had reached out to them to schedule a meet-and-greet with Usha
‘After closer consideration, however, we have now informed the consulate that we do not want her visit,’ the store said.
‘We cannot accept the underlying agenda and will not be part of the press show that, quite, of course, comes with it.
‘No thanks to nice visit… Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders.’
The Vances will now visit the U.S. Space Force outpost at Pituffik, on the northwest coast of Greenland, instead of Usha Vance’s previously announced solo trip to the Avannaata Qimussersu dogsled race.
‘I have to speak diplomatically here, but in many ways it’s a masterful spin to make it look like they’re escalating when really they’re de-escalating,’ Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen told Danish broadcaster DR earlier on Wednesday.
But Løkke also said it was ‘positive’ that the ‘Americans have canceled their visit among Greenlandic society.
‘They will only visit their own base, Pituffik, and we have nothing against that.’
Trump had earlier doubled down on his controversial desire to take over the island, telling podcaster Vince Coglianese: ‘We need Greenland for international safety and security.
The final straw came when Usha’s husband, Vice President JD Vance , revealed he, too, would join her on the trip – arguing that he didn’t want to miss out on all the fun
The Vances will now visit the U.S. Space Force outpost at Pituffik, on the northwest coast of Greenland, instead of Usha Vance’s previously announced solo trip to the Avannaata Qimussersu dogsled race
Apartment buildings and houses are pictured in Nuuk, Greenland
‘We need it. We have to have it. I hate to put it that way, but we’re going to have to have it.’
Vance, in a video posted online, said he was joining his wife because he ‘didn’t want her to have all this fun by herself.’ He added that he would ‘just check out what’s going on with the security there of Greenland.’
‘We want to reinvigorate the security of Greenland because we think it’s important to protecting the security of the entire world,’ Vance said.
The change in plans also will reduce the likelihood that the Vances will cross paths with residents angered by Trump’s attempts to annex the island, which is a semi-autonomous Danish territory.
‘The cars (from the US advance security detail) that were delivered a few days ago are in the process of being sent back home, and the wife of the US vice president and the national security adviser will not visit Greenlandic society,’ Løkke said.
‘The matter is being wound up and that’s positive,’ he added.
The decision to visit a US military base has also removed the risk of violating potential diplomatic taboos by sending a delegation to another country without an official invitation.
Greenland leaders made it clear that the U.S. delegation was neither invited nor wanted.
Protesters outside the U.S. consulate in Nuuk, Greenland
Greenland is strategically important for the U.S. military and its ballistic missile early-warning system.
It holds a commanding position in the Arctic, as a buffer between North America and Russia.
The island, which is three times the size of Texas, has no army and relies on Denmark for protection.
A 1951 agreement between the United States and Denmark established a U.S. right to move around freely and construct military bases in Greenland as long as Denmark and Greenland are notified.
Originally, Usha Vance’s office said the second lady would arrive Thursday in Greenland and return Saturday.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede called the trip ‘highly aggressive’ when he learned Waltz was also joining.
Egede noted that ‘it has not extended any invitations for any visits, neither private nor official.’
Denmark blasted the visit, calling it part of an ‘unacceptable pressure’ on them.
‘It is clearly not a visit that concerns Greenland’s needs or wishes. That’s why I have to say it’s an unacceptable pressure being placed on Greenland and Denmark — and it’s pressure we will stand up to,’ Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told Danish broadcasters DR and TV2.
‘President Trump is serious,’ she said. ‘He wants Greenland.’
