Vice President JD Vance embarked on a visit to Greenland, but the welcome from locals is not encouraging. Scheduled to land on Friday, he will be the highest-ranking U.S. official to set foot on the island. However, his visit is considered unwanted by many Greenlanders, especially following President Trump’s controversial remarks about acquiring the island.

The original agenda was ambitious, with Second Lady Usha Vance set to attend a renowned dog sled race and explore Greenland's cultural heritage to strengthen ties between the U.S. and the autonomous territory. Nonetheless, the plans unraveled as protests began brewing. Local officials criticized the visit as “highly aggressive,” and race organizers clarified that they never invited Ms. Vance.

In response to escalating tensions, the White House revised the itinerary, opting for a simplified visit limited to the remote Pituffik Space Base, a significant U.S. missile defense installation located far from any anticipated demonstrations.

Greenland, a territory of Denmark for over 300 years, has echoed the sentiments of discontent expressed by its citizens. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen acknowledged the challenging situation surrounding the visit, supporting the islanders' concerns over the implications of the U.S.'s interest in Greenland.