Trump Tells Congress "We Will Get Greenland in Some Form"
Advisor Waltz to Visit U.S. Bases
Denmark Protests Unannounced Visits
U.S. President Donald Trump has been openly pursuing the incorporation of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, into the United States. Following the visit of President Trump's eldest son, the wife of Vice President J.D. Vance and a senior White House official are set to visit Greenland in succession. Denmark immediately protested upon hearing that Trump administration's foreign and security advisors would visit Greenland without prior notice.
The White House announced on the 23rd (local time) that Second Lady (Vice President's wife) Usha Vance will visit Greenland on the 27th. This comes three weeks after President Trump told Congress that the U.S. would take Greenland 'in some form.'
Mrs. Vance is scheduled to visit historical sites in Greenland with her son and a U.S. delegation and learn about Greenland's cultural heritage. The group will also attend a Greenland dog sled race.
The White House stated, "We are very pleased that Mrs. Vance and the delegation can witness this historic event firsthand and celebrate Greenland's culture and unity." Mrs. Vance and her party are expected to return to the U.S. on the 29th.
Separately, White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz is reported by foreign media to visit Greenland independently to inspect U.S. military bases. The British Financial Times (FT), citing sources, reported that Advisor Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright plan to visit the Pituffik Space Base, a U.S. military facility in Greenland. While President Trump is openly pursuing ownership of Greenland, the Energy Secretary and foreign and security advisors are visiting the island. The White House has not officially announced their Greenland visits. Regarding this, a source told FT, "Danish and Greenland officials are open to more U.S. military presence on the island but are not open to the island being occupied."
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, 33, the leader of the Democratic Party and a strong candidate for the next prime minister, pointed out that such visits during coalition negotiations and local elections "once again show disrespect to the people of Greenland." The Greenland general election held on the 11th attracted worldwide attention as it took place amid President Trump's explicit intentions to incorporate Greenland.
Earlier, after winning the presidential election in November last year, President Trump repeatedly expressed his desire for the U.S. to acquire Greenland citing national security reasons. Subsequently, Trump's eldest son, Trump Junior, visited Greenland in January. In a congressional speech earlier this month, President Trump said, "We really need Greenland for international security," and "We will get it in some form."
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed embarrassment over the new U.S. visit, stating, "We want to cooperate with the United States. But that cooperation must be based on fundamental values of sovereignty and respect between nations and peoples."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
