Trump pushes U.S. claims to Greenland as territory's leaders lambast U.S. delegation trip

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday doubled down on his suggestion that the U.S. should take over Greenland as leaders from the semi-autonomous Danish territory criticized a planned trip there this week by a high-profile U.S. delegation.

"I think Greenland is going to be something that maybe is in our future," Trump told reporters after a meeting with officials in his cabinet, saying it was important for U.S. national security.

Greenland's outgoing Prime Minister Mute Egede called plans by the U.S. delegation to visit an American military base and attend a dog sled race a "provocation" and said his caretaker government would not meet with the group.

Trump said his administration was working with "people in Greenland" who want something to happen but did not elaborate.

"They're calling us," he said. "We're not calling them."

The U.S. visit, which runs from Thursday to Saturday, will be led by Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, and include White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

Trump has made U.S. annexation of Greenland a major talking point since his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., paid a private visit to the vast, mineral-rich island in January.

"Such interference is a breach of our democratic principles and shows a lack of respect for our self-determination," Egede told local broadcaster KNR, adding Greenland's allies needed to be more forceful in their statements.

"We have not yet seen any of our allies make a clear statement. And we need our friends among nations. That is why they must come out more clearly - there is no other way. The vague declarations must end."

Naalakkersuisut, the Greenlandic government, is now in a caretaker phase following a March 11 parliamentary election won by the Democrats, a pro-business party that favors a slow approach to independence from Denmark.

(Cover: A boat rides though a frozen sea inlet outside of Nuuk, Greenland, March 6, 2025. /VCG)