US Ambassador: Situation calls for increased diplomacy

The US Ambassador to Denmark Kenneth (Ken) Howery tells Sermitsiaq that the situation between the US and Greenland has been difficult this year and that it calls for increased diplomacy.

He also points out that Greenland's future is up to the Greenlanders to decide.

- When countries have gone through times like we have, there is an even greater need for diplomacy. That is why I am happy that I was able to personally appear in Greenland this week and engage in dialogue, which was certainly one of the goals of moving into the new consulate building, says Ken Howery, who, together with the consul in Nuuk, Susan Wilson, hosted the opening reception of the consulate on Thursday, where the US's 250th anniversary was also celebrated.

A good 100 out of the approximately 300 invited guests showed up for the reception, and outside the building, about 500 protesters had gathered with banners with messages such as "Go Away USA", "USA ASU", "Kalaallit Nunaat, kalaallit pigaat!" and "No means No".

We are on the same team

You have been here in Greenland with President Trump's special envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry. Who draws the official line in the United States in relation to Greenland. You or him?

– Ultimately, it is the president who decides. We both work for him, so we are on the same team. The embassy and consulate welcomed the special envoy to Greenland, and he had the opportunity to speak directly with the Greenlandic leaders and build ties with the people with the aim of learning and listening and ultimately increasing his understanding of Greenland. Jeff Landry has a goal of focusing on economic cooperation with Greenland. We certainly share that goal, says Ken Howery, who will not speculate on what Jeff Landry has said or meant with some of the statements he has made on social media.

– The future of Greenland is up to the Greenlanders to decide. And I look forward to continuing our work at the embassy to advance the relationship and expand the partnership with Greenland. I think there are great opportunities in terms of security, economic partnerships and strengthening the ties between our peoples.

Long-term and real investment in Greenland

According to Ken Howery, the opening of the new consulate building illustrates that the United States' investment in Greenland is long-term and real.

– We take the relationship with Greenland very seriously. And we look forward to welcoming more Greenlanders to this building in the coming months and years, says Ken Howery.

Since the United States decided to reopen its consulate in Nuuk in 2020, they have been working to find the right location. And for Ken Howery, the expanded facilities mean the consulate can now provide visa services to Greenlanders planning to travel to the United States and serve the growing number of Americans traveling in Greenland with emergency passports and consular services.

– We will also be able to use the new consulate as a place where American and Greenlandic artists, scientists, business leaders and civil servants can meet and get to know each other better, build bridges and increase understanding. All with the aim of increasing diplomacy, says Ken Howery, who was in Nuuk in December and who a month ago visited Pituffik Space Base together with the British ambassador and a representative from Canada. The latest visit to Nuuk is thus Howery's third in Greenland.

Can the US and Greenland cooperate more in culture and art?

– Yes 100 percent. In terms of art, we have already purchased Greenlandic art, which we have installed at the consulate. One of the works of art is based on Greenlandic motifs, but is actually made on glass from Oregon in the USA. So that already says something about the overlaps that exist between the US and Greenland. And I have actually also purchased Greenlandic art for my ambassadorial residence in Denmark.

Tourism and trade cooperation

What is your view on the development of the private sector in Greenland and the concrete business opportunities in Greenland in both the short and long term?

– I have heard time and again, among others from business leaders whom I have had the opportunity to meet with this week, that there is a desire to increase diversification of the economy. In the short term, it is about tourism and increasing hotel capacity. And that is clearly something that the United States is already focusing on.

– In two weeks, United Airlines will resume direct flights from New York to Greenland for the second year in a row. Last year, up to 50,000 American tourists visited Greenland. And we believe that the number may be even higher this year. We know that there is a shortage of hotel rooms, and that there are some American investors in some of these projects.

– In addition, I know that the United States is increasingly buying Greenlandic fish. We would like to increase that further.

Mining projects and infrastructure

According to Ken Howery, there are also opportunities for cooperation with a slightly longer term in hydroelectric power plants and mining.

– Such projects can of course bring great benefits to Greenland. But as everyone knows, it can take 10 years or more due to planning, permits and financing. These are simply enormous undertakings. So it is important to get started with them now, because before you know it, 10 years will have passed, says Ken Howery, who also does not deny that the United States could be interested in investing in strategic infrastructure in Greenland.

– I know that some talks are underway, and that is something I would like to support. But it is clear that if it is to happen, it must be done completely transparently and in close cooperation with both the Greenlandic and Danish governments.

Plans for the autumn

Do you plan to come back to Greenland and when? Jeff Landry has mentioned that he would like to return to Greenland in the fall. Are you planning to travel with him?

– I don't know what his plans are or when he plans to come back, but I'm sure our staff will remain coordinated. I think there's a good possibility that we'll come back, perhaps to advance some of the economic relationships that we heard so much about this week at the Future Greenland conference.