JD Vance’s Greenland Visit Skips Cultural Event, Sparks Geopolitical Speculation
US Vice President JD Vance and their wife Usha Vance arrived in Greenland on Friday for a diplomatically tense visit already marred by controversy. The delegation’s decision to cancel participation in Greenland’s iconic dog-sled race—a cultural cornerstone of the island—has raised eyebrows, with Vance complaining of “unacceptable pressure” on the semi-autonomous Danish enclave. Instead, the visit will be focused on discussions only at Thule Air Base, a strategic U.S. military base. The move comes in the aftermath of growing criticism of Washington’s interest in Greenland, particularly during Donald Trump’s presidency, and highlights the delicate balance of diplomacy, sovereignty, and great-power rivalry in the Far North.
The Canceled Dog-Sled Race: A Symbolic Snub?
Greenland’s biannual dog-sled competition is more than a sporting event—it’s an Inuit celebration of tradition and tribute to endurance in one of the world’s most hostile climes. International visitors, including diplomats, have visited the event for decades as a courtesy to show respect for local custom. The Vance delegation’s withdrawal from attending, however, has been interpreted by some as a deliberate avoidance of cultural interaction.
Vance’s office framed the cancellation as a response to “unacceptable pressure” on Greenland, but there are few details to be found. Speculation is that it could refer to perceived Danish pressure in Greenland matters or that there are internal debates over the country’s growing independence. Greenland is independent but has Denmark handle its defense and foreign affairs—a dynamic that has led to tensions as great powers jockey for position in the Arctic for resources and sea lanes.
By skipping the race, the U.S. risks appearing not to respect Greenlandic culture, a misstep in a region where trust building is important. “These are soft power gains when it comes to cultural events,” said Dr. Karen Nielsen, an Arctic policy analyst. “Not participating sends a message, whether inadvertent or not, that the U.S. prioritizes strategic interests over regional relationships.”
Thule Air Base: The Real Focus of the Visit
The delegation’s shift to Thule Air Base highlights the trip’s geopolitical undertones. 750 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Thule is the U.S.’s northernmost military installation and a critical radar location for missile defense. Its strategic value has increased with Russia’s militarization of the Arctic and China’s “Polar Silk Road” plans.
The base also is a historic hot spot. Thule served as a nuclear staging area during the Cold War, and its expansion in the 1950s forced out Inuit populations—a complaint still felt today. Although the U.S. and Denmark recently reinforced defense agreements, Greenland’s government has pressed for more control of foreign military activity on its land.
Vance’s agenda at Thule probably comprises discussions about modernizing the base and enlisting Greenland’s assistance for U.S. security programs. But concentrating only on military issues has the potential to alienate Greenland’s leaders, who have made sustainable development and protecting the environment a priority as climate change reworks the region.
Trump’s Shadow: The “Greenland Purchase” Debacle
The shadow of Donald Trump’s 2019 suggestion to “buy” Greenland hangs over this trip. The ex-president’s on-the-spot offer, rejected by Denmark as “absurd,” strained relations with the Danes and irritated Greenlanders, who saw it as a colonial bluff. Although never on the table, it revealed Washington’s long-standing interest in Greenland’s geographical and resource potential.
Vance, a friend of Trump’s, has not brought back the purchase proposal, but his method resonates with the former administration’s transactional style. By not engaging in cultural outreach and focusing on military capabilities, the delegation may be reinforcing the idea of U.S. opportunism. “The Trump incident left scars,” Copenhagen University’s Dr. Lars Jensen said. “Greenland recalls being treated as a commodity, not a partner.”
Denmark’s Calculated Response
Denmark’s Foreign Ministry openly hailed Vance’s refusal to participate in the dog-sled race, deeming it “prudent.” The response is a pointer to Copenhagen’s delicate situation: it has to weigh support for Greenland’s autonomy with its diplomatic relationship with the U.S.
In private, though, Danish officials might welcome avoiding another Trump blunder. By focusing the visit on technical talks at Thule, Denmark avoids public showdowns about Greenland’s future. Nevertheless, the gesture threatens to enrage Greenlandic nationalists, who grow more vocal in demanding complete independence.
Greenland’s Tightrope: Autonomy vs. Foreign Influence
Greenland’s government, under Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede, has tread carefully between claiming independence and capitalizing on foreign investment. The island’s rare-earth mineral deposits and unspoiled waterways have drawn international attention, but development is contentious.
Most Greenlanders view the U.S. as a balance against Danish power but are cautious about foreign agendas. “We will not be used as a pawn in another country’s game,” said Sara Olsvig, a former member of the Greenlandic parliament. “Each such visit must show respect for our self-determination.”
Implications for Arctic Diplomacy
The Vance visit highlights the Arctic’s evolution as a theater of great-power competition. With melting ice opening up new shipping routes and opportunities for extracting resources, the U.S., Russia, and China are positioning themselves for advantage. However, Greenland’s agendas—climate resilience, economic development, and preservation of culture—are frequently at odds with superpower aspirations.
For America, it is crucial to win over Greenland’s trust. Experts believe that alliances must go beyond military outposts to green energy investments and scientific cooperation. “The Arctic isn’t just a security zone—it’s a homeland,” emphasized Nielsen. “Long-term influence requires respecting that reality.”
A Missed Opportunity?
Though the Vance delegation’s emphasis on Thule Air Base is consistent with U.S. security interests, the missed dog-sled race is a lost opportunity to create goodwill. In an area where cultural identity is so closely connected to land and heritage, symbolic actions count.
As climate and competition transform the Arctic, the U.S. has to navigate a multifaceted landscape where diplomacy overlaps with defense. Vance’s visit can accomplish short-term military goals, but the enduring influence will have to rely on seeing Greenland as more than a strategic prize but as a country in its own right—and dogsleds.
Click Here to subscribe to our newsletters and get the latest updates directly to your inbox.