Greenland's Prime Minister has lashed out at an upcoming US trip to the Danish territory after months of "annexation" threats by President Donald Trump.
The trip, to an American military base which will include a dogsled race, will be led by JD Vance's wife Usha - with White House national security adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright in tow.
But the Arctic territory's outgoing PM Mute Egede has branded the visit a "provocation" in a series of barbed swipes at the US - and vowed that his Government would not be meeting with the officials.
"Until recently, we could trust the Americans, who were our allies and friends, and with whom we enjoyed working closely," Egede told local newspaper Sermitsiaq. "But that time is over."
High-ranking Trump administration officials, are slated to visit the US's Pituffik (formerly Thule) space base
US AIR FORCE
And his likely successor Jens-Frederik Nielsen has lashed out too.
He said the US visit during coalition talks after a general election on March 11 "once again shows a lack of respect for the Greenlandic people".
Waltz and Wright, the high-ranking Trump administration officials, are slated to visit the US's Pituffik (formerly Thule) space base where they will receive briefings from American service members there.
The pair will then join Usha Vance to visit historical sites and attend the national dogsled race.
Brian Hughes, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said the US team is "confident that this visit presents an opportunity to build on partnerships that respects Greenland's self determination and advances economic cooperation".
TRUMP EYES UP GREENLAND - READ MORE:
The trip, which will visit an American military base and watch a dogsled race, will be led by JD Vance's wife Usha
GETTY
"This is a visit to learn about Greenland, its culture, history, and people and to attend a dogsled race the United States is proud to sponsor, plain and simple," Hughes said.
Meanwhile, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the visit "is something we take seriously".
She said Denmark wants to cooperate with the US, but it should be cooperation based on "the fundamental rules of sovereignty".
Either way, Donald Trump has his eyes on the world's largest island - whose location and rich mineral wealth could be vital to the US if he gets his way.
Just last week, during a meeting with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, the President said he thought annexing Greenland "will happen".
LATEST ON NATO:
During a meeting with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said he thought annexing Greenland 'will happen'
GETTY
"I didn't give it much thought before, but I'm sitting with a man who could be very instrumental," he said.
"You know Mark, we need that for international security. We have a lot of our favourite players cruising around the coast and we have to be careful.
"A boat landed there 200 years ago or something. They say they have rights to it... I don't know if that's true. I don't think it is, actually."
He said the US already has a military presence in Greenland - and warned: "Maybe you'll see more and more soldiers going there."
