Vice president JD Vance's wife Usha is at the center of controversy as she insists her impending trip to Greenland is concerned with the territory's canine welfare rather than any potential political annexation.
Critics both from within Greenland and internationally have voiced concerns, with Greenland's departing Prime Minister Múte Egede branding the venture a "very aggressive" act. Alongside Vance, national security adviser Mike Waltz and energy secretary Chris Wright will form part of the visiting delegation.
Countering the criticism, Vance has emphasized that her journey celebrates the "long history of co-operation and mutual respect" that exists between Greenland and the United States. Moreover, the White House is highlighting the visit's purported main objective, that is to watch a national dog-sled race.
However, not everyone is taking the assertion at face value, particularly considering President Donald Trump's previously stated aim of taking Greenland from Denmark after his re-entry into the White House. Queried on whether Greenland would be subject to annexation, reports suggest Trump remarked: "I think that will happen."
Consequently, skepticism shrouds Vance's excursion, likened to suspicion worthy of an Air Force One-sized grain of salt, as the U.S. delves into a very complex scenario, reports the Irish Star.
Just how complex?
Greenland finds itself at a historic juncture regarding its connection to Denmark, as local sentiments remain divided over the pursuit of independence.
According to the BBC, a current poll indicates nearly 80 percent of Greenlandic citizens favor severing ties with their continental counterpart.
However, that is not to say Greenlanders are itching to become part of the USA. A January survey showed a whopping 80 percent of them giving a hard pass to becoming the 51st US State.
Why is Trump interested in Greenland?
In short, energy and security. It's notable that Trump isn't just sending one of his security advisors with Usha Vance, but he's also sending his energy secretary.
Greenland has massive reserves of natural resources like iron, copper, coal, and zinc, attractive to an America trying to become energy independent from China.
Security is also a focus for Trump with Greenland sitting in the middle of the Atlantic and host to an American Air Force base. Trump has been vocal about needing Greenland "for national security" and claimed incorrectly that Denmark has no legal right to it.
Denmark does, with Greenland a Danish colony until 1953. Fast forward to 1979, and Greenland was given even more autonomy so that today Greenland politicians handle its domestic affairs whilst Denmark deals with foreign and defence policy.
Does this mean the USA could be on a collision course with a European (and NATO) ally?
Possibly. Ever since he took office, Trump has been open about his wish to annex Greenland, a move that's been likened to Putin's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea in 2014.
The situation gets more complex considering both Denmark and America are part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), and any military intrusion - whether planned via text message or otherwise - could spark a diplomatic crisis.
This doesn't necessarily mean Trump will make moves to take over Denmark and turn it into the 51st State, but Usha Vance's trip with an energy secretary and national defence advisor to supposedly visit dogs has set off alarm bells in both Greenland and the rest of Europe.
