Usha Vance to Visit Greenland Amid U.S. Push for Strategic Arctic Presence
Second Lady Usha Vance is set to make a high-profile visit to Greenland later this week, the White House announced on Sunday. Her trip comes as the Trump administration continues to show growing interest in the Danish territory, which plays a key role in Arctic geopolitics.
This will be the most notable visit to Greenland by a U.S. official in recent years, as President Trump’s administration increases diplomatic and strategic outreach to the region.
What Will Usha Vance Do in Greenland?
Usha Vance is scheduled to arrive in Greenland on Thursday and return Saturday, according to the White House. She will visit historical and cultural sites, learn about Greenlandic traditions, and attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, the country’s national dogsled race.
Her son will accompany her during the trip, along with a U.S. delegation. The visit is part of her continued involvement in international engagements, having earlier visited Paris in February and India this month.
National Security Adviser Waltz to Join, Will Visit Space Base
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz will also be traveling to Greenland, CBS News confirmed through a source familiar with the plan. Waltz is expected to tour the Pituffik Space Base, a key U.S. military installation in the Arctic.
Waltz has said that U.S. interest in Greenland is about more than just land. “This is about the Arctic,” he noted in January, highlighting the strategic competition with Russia, which has over 60 icebreakers compared to the U.S.’s two — one of which, he noted, had caught fire.
Trump’s Renewed Push to “Get” Greenland
President Trump has revived his interest in acquiring Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory under the Kingdom of Denmark. During his speech to Congress on March 4, he declared:
“We need Greenland for national security and even international security. I think we’re going to get it. One way or the other, we’re going to get it.”
This statement sparked a strong reaction from Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede, who said,
“We are not for sale and cannot simply be taken.”
He also called Trump “very unpredictable”, saying it made people feel insecure.
Following Trump’s statement, Greenland held an election on March 11, in which the opposition party won. However, a coalition government still needs to be formed. Democratic party leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen stressed the need for unity in the face of growing foreign interest, saying they would be open to talks with all parties.
Denmark Responds, Stresses Investment Over Acquisition
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also responded earlier, saying Greenland is not for sale, but she added that Denmark remains open to American investment and cooperation in the region.
Donald Trump Jr., the president’s son, had already visited Greenland in January, before his father resumed the presidency.
Why Is Greenland So Important to the U.S.?
Greenland’s strategic value lies in its location in the Arctic and its natural resources, including critical minerals and energy reserves. The U.S. views Greenland as a vital asset in countering the growing influence of countries like Russia and China in the Arctic.
As climate change opens up new sea routes and access to untapped resources, the Arctic region has become a hotbed of geopolitical interest. With military bases, mineral wealth, and new shipping lanes at stake, Greenland is now at the center of that attention.
Usha Vance’s visit to Greenland is more than just a cultural trip. It represents growing U.S. interest in the Arctic, especially under President Trump’s second term.
With top officials like Mike Waltz also visiting, and the president pushing aggressively for influence in the region, Greenland is likely to remain a key focus in future international talks. However, strong local and international resistance remains against any idea of U.S. control over the territory.