Nordic Correspondent: “Unheard Of” that Vance Arrives Without an Invitation

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1. Summary:

   U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance’s uninvited trip to Greenland has sparked outrage in Denmark and Greenland, with officials and analysts calling it “unheard of,” “absurd,” and a sign of American intimidation. Announced on March 25, 2025, the visit coincides with tensions over U.S. interest in Greenland, prompting strong rebukes from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic leader Múte B. Egede, who labeled it “unacceptable” and “disrespectful.” Critics see it as part of a Trump administration strategy to assert control, though a scaled-down delegation might hint at a small concession. Protests and political backlash underscore the escalating conflict with the U.S.

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   Full translation into English:

   **Nordic Correspondent: “Unheard Of” that Vance Arrives Without an Invitation**

   It is almost unthinkable that such a prominent American politician as J.D. Vance would visit Greenland without being invited, says *Berlingske*’s Nordic correspondent.

   In a video posted on X on Tuesday evening Danish time, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance announced that he will join his wife, Usha Vance, when she visits Greenland.

   “Completely absurd,” “grotesque,” and “unheard of.”

   These are the reactions from *Berlingske*’s Nordic correspondent, Peter Suppli Benson, and international analyst Kristian Mouritzen, after J.D. Vance announced that he will travel to Greenland on Friday.

   “The visit fits into what is increasingly becoming clear: that there is ongoing intimidation and testing of Denmark and Greenland from the Trump administration,” says Kristian Mouritzen.

   He predicts that in the future, we will see many more of these unexpected and unwanted trips to Greenland.

   “We need to prepare ourselves for this becoming the Americans’ style. They will attempt intimidation and try to force their way into Greenland to take control, without Denmark and Greenland being able to do much about it.”

   The announcement of Vance’s visit comes on the same day that Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen spoke out strongly about the U.S.’s interest in Greenland. She called the pressure from the U.S. “unacceptable.”

   “For an American vice president to announce his arrival—without being invited by either the Greenlandic or Danish government—is unheard of and a dramatic escalation of what we must now call a serious conflict with our previously close ally, the U.S.,” says Peter Suppli Benson.

   It’s almost unimaginable, he adds, that such a prominent American politician would visit Greenland without being received by the Danish and Greenlandic governments.

   “The question now is when Mette Frederiksen will react—both in words and actions—and whether she herself will travel to Greenland.”

   **A Possible Small Victory**

   An official statement from the U.S. Vice President’s office indicates that the U.S. Vice President and Second Lady, Usha Vance, will, among other things, visit the Pittufik Space Base “to receive a briefing on Arctic security issues and meet with American soldiers.”

   The statement also notes that Usha Vance’s previously announced visit to a national dogsled race has been canceled. Earlier reports had indicated that National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright would be part of Usha Vance’s delegation. As of now, it’s unclear who will accompany the Vance couple.

   On Monday, Donald Trump claimed that the American delegation had been invited to Greenland. However, no one knows who supposedly extended the invitation.

   A freedom of information request from Greenlandic media outlet KNR reveals that the organizers of the dogsled race invited U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to attend the event.

   This does not stop Greenland’s government leader, Múte B. Egede, from calling the American behavior “disrespectful.”

   On Tuesday, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told TV 2 that the visit is “unacceptable.”

   A group of citizens in Sisimiut was also planning a demonstration. The protest was intended to take place “without shouting or screaming” to send a strong signal to Washington, according to organizer Per Nørgård. The message from the cold north was clear: *You are not wanted here.*

   In response to the U.S. Vice President’s video on X, the political spokesperson for the Danish Liberal Party (Venstre), Jan E. Jørgensen, writes that the visit is unheard of.

   “We are not looking forward to your visit. It’s unheard of—you are not invited,” he writes.

   The political spokesperson for the Red-Green Alliance (Enhedslisten), Pelle Dragsted, criticizes the visit, calling it a “serious and dangerous escalation” by the Americans.

   If the U.S. National Security Advisor and Energy Secretary do not end up traveling to Greenland, it could be a sign of de-escalation, says Kristian Mouritzen.

   “It could be seen as the Americans pulling back their feelers, with only Vance and his wife coming to visit the former Thule base. That could be a small victory.”

   However, he maintains that it remains a provocation for the U.S. Vice President to travel to Greenland uninvited.

   “So there is still absolutely a conflict with the U.S., and it’s at the most insane level. We’re not used to hearing this kind of thing from our allies. That conflict is still there,” says Kristian Mouritzen.

2. Imo it would probably be best for Greenland to quietly sequester him somewhere and leave him hanging. Don’t make too much of a fuss. Invite him to some place suggesting he will be joining officials and just wait for him to figure out no one is coming. He can figure out the rest of his vacation for himself. But don’t entertain him.

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4. This is only a big deal if Denmark/Greenland make it a big deal. Vance is visiting a US base, it’s his prerogative. Let him come, then go. No impact. Protesting, or trying to block him diplomatically will cause a conflict whereas ignoring it prevents escalation which he wants. The story could easily become key air defense base blocked of by flakey ally and rally the US against Denmark. Discretion is the better part of valor.

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