Danish and Greenlandic politicians breathed a sigh of relief when Usha Vance cancelled her visits to Sisimiut and Nuuk, where the plan was for her to learn more about Greenlandic culture.
However, the visit to the American military base Pituffik, previously known as Thulebase, will still take place. Moreover, Usha Vance will be accompanied by her husband, the US Vice President JD Vance.
Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen sees the change as a de-escalation of the already high-tension situation between the USA, Denmark, and Greenland.
Sees two scenarios
But the danger is far from over, and it's too early to interpret the change as a diplomatic victory. This is according to Mikkel Runge Olesen, who researches security policy in the Arctic at the Danish Institute for International Studies, and emphasizes that today's visit can result in two scenarios.
— One scenario, and this is also what Lars Løkke Rasmussen has talked about, is that it's a de-escalation because they have realized they're not welcome in Greenland. You should see it as them trying to win people's "hearts and minds" and that it's not the right time to visit Greenland right now.
But few believe that the USA has listened to Denmark and Greenland and changed their program out of goodwill.
According to Mikkel Runge Olesen, it's rather about a fear of being met with extensive protests in Sisimiut and Nuuk, which would ultimately result in catastrophic marketing for the American delegation.
"Can become explosive"
As recently as Wednesday, President Donald Trump reiterated his desire to take control of the island, citing national and international security.
Another possible scenario is therefore that JD Vance takes the opportunity to criticize Denmark's lack of military investments on Greenland.
— If that happens, I'll be paying attention to whether he says something concrete. Will the USA do something? Will they say that Denmark hasn't handled its task on Greenland well enough and that the USA therefore needs to do something. That's when it can really become explosive, says Mikkel Runge Olesen.
