Addressing American troops on his trip to Greenland on Friday, Vice President JD Vance accused Denmark of neglecting the small island’s people and infrastructure, highlighting the crucial role that the Arctic territory plays in international security.
For months, President Donald Trump has vowed to take over Greenland to prevent it from falling into Russian or Chinese hands. The U.S. has taken interest in Greenland in part because of its mineral resources and the American military’s existing presence on the island.
Vance blasted European allies, particularly Denmark, for failing to keep Greenland safe from foreign adversaries over the past few decades.
“Our message to Denmark is very simple: You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland,” Vance said at the U.S. Space Force base in Pituffik. “You have underinvested in the people of Greenland, and you have underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass filled with incredible people.”
“That has to change,” he added, “and because it hasn’t changed, this is why President Trump’s policy in Greenland is what it is.”
The vice president pointed to Trump’s first term when the U.S. prioritized Arctic security and promised that will continue through his second term.
The Trump administration has faced sharp criticism from the leaders of Denmark and Greenland for its desire to acquire Greenland. Responding to the backlash, Vance assured that the U.S. will respect Greenland’s sovereignty.
“Yes, the people of Greenland are going to have self-determination,” he said. “We hope that they choose to partner with the United States because we’re the only nation on earth that will respect their sovereignty and respect their security — because their security is very much our security, as these brave Americans show.”
While Greenland wants to gradually move toward independence from Denmark, the territory’s government is not completely sold on Trump’s vision.
Earlier this month, the territory’s center-right Democrats who have sharply criticized Trump’s intention to take over Greenland defeated the island’s governing left-wing coalition in a closely watched parliamentary election. The victorious party said it would form a coalition to stave off Trump and succeeded in doing so on Friday, hours before Vance’s visit.
“It is a time when we as a population are under pressure,” the newly elected prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said before the deal was signed. “We must stick together. Together we are strongest.”
During his speech, Vance was joined by White House national security adviser Mike Waltz, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Senator Mike Lee (R., Utah). Vance’s wife, Usha, was originally scheduled to travel to Greenland earlier this week, but that plan was canceled after heavy criticism from Danish and Greenlandic officials.
Back in Washington, D.C., Trump said the U.S. needs Greenland because of the growing Russian and Chinese presence in the Arctic waters.
“Greenland’s very important for the peace of the world,” Trump told reporters in the White House. “And I think Denmark understands, and I think the European Union understands it. And if they don’t, we’re going to have to explain it to them.”