Múte B Egede sees the move as deliberately provocative, following Donald Trump's threats to take control of the island.
ADVERTISEMENT
Greenland’s prime minister has hit out at a planned visit to the island by senior US officials, calling the move “highly aggressive” in light of Trump’s threats to take control of the semi-autonomous Danish territory.
Múte Egede, whose party failed to win the most seats in this month’s elections but who will remain in post until a coalition government is formed, made the comments to the Sermitsiaq newspaper.
His remarks came as the White House confirmed that the wife of US Vice President JD Vance will travel to Greenland later this week with one of their children to see a national dogsled race.
The purpose of Usha Vance's visit is to “celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity”, the Trump administration said.
It is also expected that Mike Waltz, the US national security adviser, will separately travel to a US military base in northern Greenland.
Responding to both plans, Egede said they “can in no way be characterised as a harmless visit”.
“Because what is the security advisor doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to show a demonstration of power to us, and the signal is not to be misunderstood,” he added.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the country’s likely next leader who is currently in talks to form a coalition government, also criticised the actions of the Trump administration.
“The fact that the Americans are well aware we are in the middle of negotiations once again shows a lack of respect for the Greenlandic people,” he said.
American relations with the US and Greenland have become strained this year, as US President Donald Trump has promised to gain control of the island “one way or another”, citing American national security as a justification.
“I think we will have it,” Trump said of Greenland shortly after the start of his second presidential term.
On Sunday, JD Vance took aim at Denmark, accusing it of “not being a good ally” to the US.
This week’s scheduled visits are not the first by people close to Trump.
His son, Donald Trump Jr, travelled to Greenland in January, claiming at the time that the territory would “benefit tremendously” by becoming American.
Recent polling has shown that 85% of Greenlanders are against Trump's plans.
Denmark confirmed on Monday that it has sent extra police and sniffer dogs to Greenland ahead of Usha Vance's visit.