The US has changed its diplomatic strategy in Greenland after mass protests against then-President Donald Trump’s contentious bid to “buy” the autonomous Danish region. As a backlash, Washington has called off Second Lady Usha Vance’s scheduled visit to the capital city of Greenland, Nuuk. Vice President JD Vance will instead head the delegation, and the visit will be limited to only the American military base at Pituffik.

Greenlanders Spurn Trump’s Takeover of Greenland

The US takeover of Greenland has sparked anger among its people, with mass protests erupting throughout the Arctic nation. Greenlanders have outrightly spurned Trump’s offer, stating that they will “never” be part of the US. The size of the protests has been unprecedented, being the biggest anti-American protests in the history of Greenland.

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Originally, Usha Vance, in the company of US National Security Adviser Mike Walts and US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, was to visit Nuuk and take part in the high-profile annual dog-sled race in Sisimiut. But as news emerged of planned demonstrations against her visit, the White House changed its strategy, restricting the movements of the delegation.

Leaders of Greenland and Denmark Criticize US Visit

The diplomatic controversy intensified after Greenland’s interim head of government, Mute Egede, denounced the visit as a “provocation” by America. “Until recently, we could trust the Americans, who were our allies and friends, and with whom we enjoyed working very closely, but that time is over,” declared Egede.

Denmark, which controls Greenland as an autonomous region, was also disenchanted. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen branded the visit an “unacceptable pressure” on Washington. Immediately thereafter, the White House reported the new plan, which cuts Nuuk off from the trip schedule.

US Revised Plan Keeps Visit to Pituffik Military Base Only

In a change of strategy, the US government declared that instead of Usha Vance, Vice President JD Vance would head the delegation. The visit, however, will be limited to the US Space and Military Base at Pituffik in northern Greenland, precluding any public interactions in the Greenlandic society.

Denmark has welcomed Washington’s move to tone down its visit. “I think it’s very positive that the Americans cancelled their visit to the Greenlandic society. Instead, they will visit their base, Pituffik, and we have nothing against that,” Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told local broadcaster DR in an interview.

Criticism Over US Decision

Even with the diplomatic reset, critics say that the US folded out of convenience instead of kindness. Karsten Honge, a Danish MP, described Washington as having changed his mind so that he would not embarrass himself in public. “They are doing this for the obvious reason that if they had shown up in Nuuk or Sisimiut, they would probably have been met by demonstrations with banners and people yelling ‘Yankees go home'” Honge said in an interview with Danish television channel TV2.

The rescheduled visit is still slated for Thursday, March 27, to Saturday, March 29, 2025. Although the delegation will still be visiting Greenland, the change of plans highlights the heightening tensions among the US, Greenland, and Denmark as a result of Washington’s controversial position on the Arctic region.