Vice President Vance faces a chilly reception on Greenland visit
The plane carrying U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance landed on Friday at 10 a.m. Eastern Time at the American Pituffik Space Force Base in Greenland. "It’s cold as s–t here — nobody told me," Vance reportedly said as he disembarked to begin the controversial visit.
What you need to know
- As confirmed by Danish media, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance has landed in Greenland.
- Vance's visit is causing controversy on the island.
- The island's residents' reluctance has resulted in limiting the Vice President's visit to only the American military base.
Why is Vance's visit controversial?
Just after landing at the American base, J.D. Vance noted that he is the first Vice President to visit Greenland. He also thanked the American soldiers for their service at the base.
"The president is really interested in Arctic security, as you all know, and it’s only going to get bigger over the coming decades," Vance added.
The visit to Greenland has sparked much controversy
Vice President Vance's visit to Greenland is generating significant controversy and resistance from local politicians. Just before Vance's visit, leaders of four of five parties in parliament signed a coalition agreement to form a government. The Prime Minister will be 33-year-old Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the leader of the liberal Democrats, who won the elections at the beginning of March.
The coalition agreement emphasized that "Greenland belongs to its inhabitants," and in international matters concerning the Arctic, the Greenlandic government, not Copenhagen, should have the decisive voice. In the section regarding security, it was assured that the island is part of the "Western alliance."
Waltz accompanies Vance
His wife and, as reported by Greenlandic radio, are Accompanying Vance on his trip to Greenland, U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, and Republican Senator from Utah Mike Lee.
Initially, the Vice President's wife, Usha Vance, was supposed to be the main figure on the trip to Greenland. She was to observe the famous dog sled race in Sisimiut, visit a local museum, and shop. However, no one wanted her presence in Greenland, and there would be no one to accompany or guide her around the island.
When it became apparent that the Second Lady's planned visit might become a major diplomatic failure, plans were changed, and ultimately, only the entire delegation led by J.D. Vance was sent to the American Pituffik Base in Greenland. The visit is expected to last only a few hours.
