Second lady Usha Vance's trip to Greenland hit a snag after a local travel company refused to work with her, Newsmax reported. Tupilak Travel's move is part of a broader rejection of President Donald Trump's overtures toward a possible acquisition of the large island nation.
Plans were initially accepted by the tour company for Usha Vance's visit. However, a Facebook post on Tuesday, which was translated into English from the native Greenlandic language, explained the decision.
"Yesterday, we were approached by the U.S. consulate to see if Usha Vance, the wife of the vice president of the United States, would like to visit our store on Friday; we agreed, as almost anyone is welcome. After careful consideration, we have decided not to accept the request, as it is not appropriate to interfere with events and media followers," Tupilak Travel wrote Tuesday.
According to Newsweek, which broke the story about the company's rejection, the wife of Vice President J.D. Vance was set to accompany her husband on the visit. They were slated to tour Greenland's historic sites and take in the dogsled race known as the Avannaata Qimussersu.
Earlier this week, Usha Vance said on Instagram that she was excited to be attending Greenland during this event. "I've been reading all about it with my children, and I'm amazed by the incredible skill and teamwork that it takes to participate in this race," she wrote Tuesday.
Also expected to visit Greenland were Trump's Energy Secretary Chris Wright and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. However, a White House news release Tuesday failed to mention Wright and Waltz being part of the visit.
It also indicated that the Vances will be touring Greenland's Pituffik Space Base, which appears to be a change of earlier plans as well. There could be several reasons for the change, but a representative from Tupalik Travel blamed Trump, which likely has him fuming behind the scenes.
"We are known for our hospitality, and we welcome visitors from other countries as our valued guests. With this delegation, however, we were afraid that it would turn out to be a MAGA event [which] we did not want to be part of," the tour company's manager Henrik Skydsbjerg said.
Regardless of the current state of relations with Greenland, the White House recognizes that it's a key territory in securing the globe. "The strategic partnership between the United States and Greenland has long played a vital role in our national and economic security," a White House news release said.
"During World War Two, the United States established over a dozen military bases in Greenland to defend the North Atlantic from Nazi incursion. During the Cold War, the United States committed additional resources to Greenland to defend against Soviet missile attacks," it added.
"In the decades since, neglect and inaction from Danish leaders and past U.S. administrations have presented our adversaries with the opportunity to advance their own priorities in Greenland and the Arctic. President Trump is rightly changing course," the news release noted.
Trump has indicated he will not give up easily on what he thinks is an essential acquisition. "We need Greenland. And the world needs us to have Greenland, including Denmark. Denmark has to have us have Greenland. And, you know, we’ll see what happens. But if we don’t have Greenland, we can’t have great international security," he told reporters, according to The Hill.
Leftists at home and abroad have an outsized opposition to Trump, his administration, and his agenda. Some in Greenland may try to keep the U.S. at arm's length, but Trump is not about to give up on this plan.
