Usha Vance attends a campaign rally, Nov. 1, 2024, in Selma, N.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce, File)2025-03-23T17:33:29Z WASHINGTON (AP) Second lady Usha Vance plans a trip to Greenland, at a time when President Donald Trump has suggested the United States should take control over the self-governing, mineral-rich territory of American ally Denmark.Vance will leave on Thursday and return Saturday, according to her office. Vance and one of her three children will be part of a U.S. delegation that will visit historic sites and learn about Greenlandic heritage.Media outlets in Greenland and Denmark reported that Vance would be accompanied by Trumps national security adviser, Mike Waltz. The White House and the National Security Council did not immediately respond to requests for comment. People take part in a march ending in front of the US consulate, under the slogan, Greenland belongs to the Greenlandic people, in Nuuk, Greenland, Saturday March 15, 2025. (Christian Klindt Soelbeck/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) People take part in a march ending in front of the US consulate, under the slogan, Greenland belongs to the Greenlandic people, in Nuuk, Greenland, Saturday March 15, 2025. (Christian Klindt Soelbeck/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Trump had mused during his first term about buying the worlds largest island, even as Denmark, a NATO ally, insisted it wasnt for sale. The people of Greenland also have firmly rejected Trumps plan. On her visit, Vance will attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenlands national dogsled race, featuring about 37 mushers and 444 dogs. The statement said Vance and the U.S. delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity.Since returning to the White House, Trump has repeatedly said that the U.S. will come to control Greenland while insisting he supports the idea for strategic national security reasons not with an eye toward American expansionism. I think we will have it, Trump said of Greenland shortly after beginning his second term on Jan. 20. The U.S. already has a military base on Greenland and the presidents eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., visited it in January. During a recent Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said Denmarks very far away from Greenland, and questioned whether that country still had a right to claim the worlds largest island as part of its kingdom. The northern lights appear over homes in Nuuk, Greenland, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) The northern lights appear over homes in Nuuk, Greenland, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More A boat landed there 200 years ago or something. And they say they have rights to it, Trump said. I dont know if thats true. I dont think it is, actually.All five parties in Greenlands parliament issued a joint statement last week rejecting Trumps remarks. Denmark has recognized Greenlands right to independence at a time of its choosing.Beyond his focus on Greenland, Trump has refused to rule out military intervention in Panama to retake that countrys canal, said that Canada should be Americas 51st state and suggested that U.S. interests could assume control of the war-torn Gaza Strip from Israel and redevelop it as a Riviera-like seaside resort.___Associated Press writer Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin contributed to this report. WILL WEISSERT Weissert covers national politics and the White House for The Associated Press. He is based in Washington. twitter mailto