Greenland dog sledding race raises questions about who invited Trump envoy to event

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organizer GreenlandWho is invited to the annual national sled dog race? Donald TrumpThe U.S. envoy attending the event said his presence will be ‘Totally inappropriate’ amid ongoing tensions between the two countries.

“January 8, 2026, KNQK [The Greenland Dog Sledding Association] Received an inquiry from an American journalist that Governor Jeff Landry, the recently appointed special envoy of the President of the United States, has been invited to Afanata Chimusesua,” Mikkel Jeremiassen, president of the association, wrote in a statement.

“The KNQK Board of Directors considers external political pressure unacceptable and therefore Consideration of the involvement of foreign political actors in Avaannaata Qimussersua Totally inappropriate. “

Jeremiahson added that the association’s board of directors is currently working closely with patrons to determine who sent the invitation to the “foreign actor,” adding that “the board will provide further information once the investigation is completed.”

Organizers of Greenland's annual national dog sledding race have questioned who invited Donald Trump's US envoy to the event, saying the invitation was — Organizers of Greenland’s annual national dog sledding race have questioned who invited Donald Trump’s US envoy to the event, saying the invitation was “totally inappropriate” amid ongoing tensions between the two countries. (Getty Images)

Avanaata Qimussersua is Greenland’s annual national sled dog race, bringing together some 37 mushers and their 444 dogs from across the country.

Although the location and distance change from year to year, the race is always held in western Greenland, above the Arctic Circle. Strict rules mean that only Greenland dogs can compete, as other breeds are restricted from entering the countries north of the ring.

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The blocking by Landry and others is in tension United States, Greenland and Denmark.

Denmark controls Greenland through its status as an autonomous territory.

Avanaata Qimussersua is Greenland's annual national dog sled race, which brings together approximately 37 mushers and their 444 dogs from across the country. — Avanaata Qimussersua is Greenland’s annual national dog sled race, which brings together approximately 37 mushers and their 444 dogs from across the country. (Getty Images)

Trump has insisted that he needs the United States to take control of Greenland “immediately” and has claimed that it is vital to the United States’ “national security”, although these comments have alarmed NATO countries.

As a result, Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lok Rasmussen and Greenland’s Vivian Molzfeld requested a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio – while U.S. Vice-President JD Vance Requests are now open to join and will be hosted in Washington, D.C., at a date yet to be determined.

The vice president and his wife Usha were due to attend Avannaata Qimussersua during their visit to Greenland last year, but changed their itinerary after angry protests from residents.

Although the location and distance change from year to year, the race is always held in western Greenland, above the Arctic Circle. Strict rules mean only Greenland dogs can compete, as other breeds are restricted from entering the country north of the ring (Getty Images)

The couple, accompanied by then-national security adviser Mike Walz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, were eventually barred from more populated areas of the island to reduce the likelihood of them encountering demonstrators.

Vance’s participation in the talks with Rubio, Rasmussen and Molzfeld could be controversial given his public support for the United States seizing territory from Denmark.

Last week, he warned Europe that they needed to take Trump’s takeover aspirations “seriously”. “What we’re asking our European friends to do is take the security of this land more seriously because if they don’t, the United States will have to take action,” he said.

Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife Usha Vance were scheduled to attend Avaannaata Qimussersua during their visit to Greenland last year, but changed their schedule after angry protests from residents (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

“What that is, I’ll leave that up to the president as we continue to engage in diplomacy with our European friends and everybody on this particular topic.”

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Greenland has vast untapped natural resources, including oil and natural gas as well as natural earth minerals, zinc, copper, nickel and graphite. Its location between the North American Arctic and Europe also makes it strategically attractive to Trump.

The president has had his eye on the land since he first publicly floated the idea of purchasing it in 2019.