Denmark has expressed concern over the “tone” used by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who indicated that the Danish government has not done enough to support Greenland during his recent visit to this strategically important territory, rich in resources and historically desired by U.S. President Donald Trump.
“While we are open to constructive criticism, I must be candid: we do not appreciate the tone in which these comments were made,” stated Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen on X, formerly known as Twitter. “This is not how one addresses close allies, and I consider Denmark and the United States to be exactly that,” he added.
Vice President Vance made his remarks during a trip to the Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, a visit seen by both Denmark and Greenland as provocative. He highlighted, “You have under-invested in the people of Greenland and in the security architecture of this breathtaking landmass.”
Mr. Trump has asserted the necessity of acquiring the vast Arctic island for both national and international security, even hinting at the possibility of using force to secure it, stating, “We are not merely discussing peace for the United States; we are talking about world peace and international security.”
When asked about the potential for forceful action, Mr. Vance emphasized that the current administration does not believe such measures will ever be required. “We believe this proposal is logical; since we trust the people of Greenland to be rational and principled, we anticipate being able to strike a deal—Trump-style—that will ensure the security of this region and, by extension, the United States,” he remarked.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded to the U.S. visit with disapproval, stating, “I anticipate continuing our close and trusting cooperation between Greenland and Denmark,” as she announced her upcoming visit to Greenland from April 2–4 for discussions with the new government of the semi-autonomous territory.
Prior to announcing her visit, Ms. Frederiksen countered Mr. Vance’s comments by recalling Denmark’s long-standing support for American efforts in challenging situations, including military deployments alongside U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. “The Vice President’s portrayal of Denmark is not accurate,” she concluded.
Accompanying Mr. Vance were several notable figures, including his wife Usha, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Utah Senator Mike Lee, and former Homeland Security Advisor Julia Nesheiwat, who is married to Mr. Waltz.
Officials from Denmark and Greenland, with backing from the European Union, have firmly stated that the United States will not achieve possession of Greenland. Ms. Frederiksen further condemned the U.S. decision to visit the Arctic territory without invitation, labeling it “unacceptable pressure” on both Greenland and Denmark. A January poll indicated that a majority of Greenlanders oppose the idea of U.S. annexation.
The Pituffik Base plays a crucial role in U.S. missile defense, strategically located to intercept missiles fired from Russia toward the United States. Formerly known as Thule Air Base until 2023, its location has historically served as a warning post against potential attacks from the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and it remains vital for air and submarine surveillance activities.
In response to growing geopolitical pressures, Denmark announced an allocation of nearly €2 billion to enhance its presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic, focusing on acquiring specialized vessels and surveillance equipment.
Greenland, home to approximately 57,000 residents, primarily of Inuit descent, is believed to contain significant untapped mineral and oil reserves, although exploration for oil and uranium is prohibited. The desire by Mr. Trump to acquire Greenland has been unequivocally rejected by Greenlandic politicians and officials from Denmark. While all political parties in Greenland favor independence, none support the notion of merging with the United States.
A new broad four-party coalition government in Greenland was established just hours before the U.S. delegation’s arrival, following recent elections. Incoming Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen emphasized the importance of unity at this critical juncture, stating, “It is essential that we set aside our disagreements and differences; only then can we effectively withstand the considerable pressure we face from outside.”
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
