Second lady Usha Vance and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz will visit Greenland next week amid President Trump’s often-stated intent to acquire Denmark’s vast but sparsely populated North American outpost.
Mrs. Vance and her son are expected to tour several historic sites in Greenland and watch a dogsled race.
“Ms. Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity,” the White House said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Mr. Waltz will visit the Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Force Base), which supports missile warning and defense missions and space surveillance operations.
The base is operated by the U.S. Space Force under a defense agreement with Denmark.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the visit by Mrs. Vance, while unofficial, isn’t independent of the public statements about Greenland from the White House. She told the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten that Denmark wants to cooperate with the United States.
“But, it must be a cooperation that is based on the fundamental values of sovereignty and respect between countries and populations,” Prime Minister Frederiksen said.
Mr. Trump has made U.S. control of Greenland a major talking point since he took over the White House on Jan. 20.
“I think it will happen,” Mr. Trump said in early March when asked about U.S. annexation of the island.
