Second lady Usha Vance is planning a trip to Greenland, a self-governing, mineral-rich region of U.S. ally Denmark that Donald Trump wants the United States to take control of.
Ms. Vance will leave on Thursday and return on Saturday, according to her office.
Ms. Vance and one of her three children will be part of a U.S. delegation that will travel “to explore historic sites, immerse themselves in Greenland's heritage, and participate in the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenland's national sled dog race.”
The race involves some 37 mushers and 444 dogs, which Ms Vance's office describes as “a remarkable display of speed, skill and team spirit.”
An official statement said Ms. Vance and the delegation “look forward to witnessing this iconic race and celebrating Greenlandic culture and unity.”
Greenlandic and Danish media reported that Ms. Vance will be accompanied by President Trump's national security adviser Mike Waltz during her visit this week.
The White House and National Security Council did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the matter.
During his first term, Trump considered buying the world's largest island, although Copenhagen, a NATO ally, stressed it was not for sale.
Since returning to the White House, Mr Trump has repeatedly said the US would take control of Greenland, stressing that he supports the idea for national security reasons, not to expand American influence.
“I believe we can do it,” Mr. Trump said of Greenland shortly after the start of his second term on Jan. 20.
The US already has a military base in Greenland, and the president's son Donald Trump Jr. visited it in January.
During a recent Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Mr Trump said “Denmark is very far away” from Greenland and questioned whether the country still had the right to claim the world's largest island as part of its kingdom.
“The boat landed there 200 years ago or so. And they claim to have rights to it,” Mr. Trump said.
“I don't know if that's true. I don't really think so.”
All five parties in Greenland's parliament issued a joint statement last week rejecting Mr Trump's comments. Denmark has recognised Greenland's right to independence at the time of its choice.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
