Kochi: Amidst Donald Trump’s threat to take over Greenland, ruled by Denmark for about three centuries, US Vice-President J D Vance and wife Usha’s visit to the largest island on Friday has made it more controversial.
The couple will go to the Pituffik Space Base to meet members of US forces stationed there, BBC quoted the White House.
Usha had planned to travel there on a cultural visit on Friday, before her husband announced his plans.
Trump’s National Security Adviser Mike Waltz is planning a separate trip to the island this week.
Situated between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, Greenland governs its own domestic affairs, while Denmark takes decisions on foreign and defence policy.
The US has long held a security interest and a military presence there since World War II.
The Pituffik Space Base supports missile warning, air defence and space surveillance missions.
Vance posted on X that the visit to the military installation was to check on the island’s security, as “a lot of other countries have threatened Greenland…”.
The US wants to “reinvigorate the security of the people of Greenland”, and that the United States and Denmark have ignored it for “far too long”.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute B Egede is “highly aggressive,” after Trump vowed to annex the autonomous Danish territory. Egede called the US delegation’s trip to the island “highly aggressive”.
Greenland holds vast stores of rare earth minerals critical for high-tech industries. The US, Russia and China are longing to have influence in the Arctic.
Photo: X
