Second lady Usha Vance will be traveling to Greenland on an official trip with a United States delegation, including her son. The trip will involve visiting historical sites, learning about Greenlandic heritage, and attending the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenland’s national dogsled race. This will be her second solo official journey abroad, following previous trips to India, Italy, and Paris. The race will feature 444 dogs and 37 mushers, with the delegation excited to witness the event and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity.
Joining Usha Vance on the Greenland trip will be National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Their visit will include touring a military base in Greenland, as part of efforts by President Trump to acquire the territory. Trump’s interest in Greenland predates his presidency, with his son Donald Trump Jr. also making a visit to Greenland prior to Trump taking office. However, the Kingdom of Denmark has ownership of Greenland, and both the Danish prime minister and Greenland’s prime minister have made it clear that Greenland is not for sale.
Greenland recently held an election, and the Demokraatit party, which favors a slow drift toward independence, emerged victorious. This party’s leaders have rejected Trump’s calls to take over the island. Despite this, Trump has reiterated his desire to acquire Greenland, as well as the Panama Canal Zone and even Canada during his second term. He has referred to the need for Greenland for national and international security reasons and has expressed confidence in eventually obtaining the territory, saying, “One way or the other, we’re going to get it.”
The trip to Greenland by Usha Vance and the US delegation is part of Trump’s continued pursuit of control of the icy territory. The administration sees Greenland as vital for national security purposes, and the visit is aimed at furthering this goal. The Avannaata Qimussersu race is a significant event in Greenlandic culture, and the delegation’s attendance is seen as a way to support and celebrate this aspect of Greenlandic identity. The trip without her husband, Vice President JD Vance, follows Usha Vance’s recent solo official trip to Italy for the Special Olympics World Winter Games.
The official trip to Greenland is part of a series of official visits by the second lady to various countries, reflecting the Trump administration’s focus on foreign relations and territorial interests. Usha Vance’s engagement with historical sites and cultural events in Greenland is expected to enhance diplomatic ties with the region. While Greenland remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark and is not currently open to acquisition, President Trump’s pursuit of the territory has sparked international attention and discussions surrounding sovereignty and national security. The implications of these efforts on US foreign policy and relations with Denmark and Greenland will continue to be monitored as the administration navigates its agenda.
