Greenland's prime minister said this week's visit by second lady Usha Vance and other administration officials is an "aggressive" power move to send a message regarding President Donald Trump's desire to acquire the island.
Trump and administration officials have publicly and repeatedly shared their interest in acquiring the strategically located and mineral-rich island. Their ideas regarding Greenland have thrown an international spotlight on the Danish territory.
"We are now at a level where it can in no way be characterized as a harmless visit from a politician's wife, which is a prospect," Prime Minister Mute Egede told a Greenlandic outlet.
National security adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright are expected to attend the visit.
"Because what is the security adviser doing in Greenland?" the prime minister added. "The only purpose is to show a demonstration of power to us, and the signal is not to be misunderstood. He is Trump's confidential and closest adviser, and his presence in Greenland alone will certainly make the Americans believe in Trump's mission, and the pressure will increase after the visit."
Trump also has not ruled out using military force.
The second lady will bring one of her and Vice President JD Vance's children to Greenland on Thursday, and they will "visit historical sites, learn about Greenlandic heritage, and attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenland's national dogsled race," White House officials announced.
Egede's ruling party was defeated during parliamentary elections earlier this month, though he remains in his position until a new governing coalition is formed. His expected successor, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said the timing of the American delegation's visit shows "a lack of respect."
USHA VANCE AND US OFFICIALS TO VISIT GREENLAND AS TRUMP TEASES TAKEOVER
“The fact that the Americans know very well that we are still in a negotiating situation and that the municipal elections have not yet concluded, they still capitalize on the moment to come to Greenland, once again, which shows a lack of respect for the Greenlandic population,” Nielsen told the outlet.
Similarly, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told Reuters that officials in his country are taking the U.S. delegation's visit "seriously" and noted that Denmark's cooperation with the United States should be based on "the fundamental rules of sovereignty."