Donald Trump has fired back after Greenland criticised a "problematic" visit from JD Vance's wife to the territory. Senior officials on the world's largest island slammed Ms Vance's visit coming in the midst of Washington's threat to take over the territory. Greenland's outgoing Prime Minister Mute Egede was among those who criticised the move, saying it was a "provocation", and that his caretaker government would not meet with the group.

In response, the US President claimed that his administration was working with "people in Greenland," without giving further detail, and reiterated his calls to make the semi-autonomous Danish territory part of the US. Trump sniped "they're calling us, we're not calling them," adding that the country was important for US national security. He told reporters after a cabinet meeting: "I think Greenland is going to be something that maybe is in our future."

Led by Vice President JD Vance's wife, Usha Vance, a number of senior US officials will visit a military base and attend a dogsled event in Greenland from Thursday to Saturday, which Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said was "problematic" and showed "a lack of respect".

Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of the Democrats, said they must not be "forced into a power game that we ourselves have not chosen to be a part of". He also criticised the timing, which is during coalition talks with municipal elections due next week.

Lokke Rasmussen told public broadcaster DR: "These are not random tourists. And you sense it is a signal. It is a charm offensive to pull Greenland towards the United States."

White House national security adviser Mike Waltz and energy secretary Chris Wright will reportedly also join the visit.

Brian Hughes, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said the visit was 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".

Trump first made declarations to overtake Greenland during his first term in 2019, and this year reiterated his suggestions, saying "it would be a very unfriendly act" if Denmark didn't allow the takeover because it would be for the "protection of the free world".

The governments of both Greenland and Denmark have voiced strong opposition to a US takeover.