During a short visit to Greenland, US Vice President JD Vance criticized Denmark for not investing enough in the Arctic island, which has been under Danish control for over 300 years. He stated that Denmark has failed the people of Greenland and has not done enough to secure the territory.
Speaking at the US Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, Vance assured the people that the US would not use military force to take over the island. However, he encouraged Greenlanders to consider separating from Denmark and aligning with the United States instead.
Vance Pushes for a US-Greenland Deal
Vance emphasized that Greenland is important to US security and that the Trump administration wants to reach an agreement to bring Greenland closer to the United States.
“We believe the people of Greenland deserve better. Denmark has not done enough for them, and we want to make a fair deal, Trump-style, to ensure their security and ours,” Vance said. He also mentioned concerns about rising Russian and Chinese interest in the island.
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Trump Says US ‘Must Have’ Greenland
Following Vance’s visit, former President Donald Trump stated that the US needs Greenland for strategic reasons. “We have to have Greenland. It’s not a question of whether we can do without it. We can’t,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
Denmark and Greenland Respond
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen dismissed Vance’s criticism, saying Denmark has always supported Greenland and recently increased defense spending for the island. She also pointed out that Denmark has been a strong ally of the United States in difficult situations.
Denmark’s King Frederik also rejected the idea of the US taking over Greenland.
Greenland’s new Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, criticized the visit, saying it was disrespectful to Greenland’s people. He and many Greenlanders were upset that the US visit was planned without proper consultation.
Overall, Vance’s visit and Trump’s remarks have stirred controversy, with Denmark strongly opposing any US attempts to take control of Greenland.
