The US Vice President, JD Vance, criticized Denmark during his trip to Greenland, claiming that it has failed to adequately protect the semi-autonomous Danish territory and its citizens from incursions by China and Russia.
Mr. Vance mentioned that the United States does not currently plan to increase its military presence in Greenland but intends to invest in resources, including additional naval vessels.
“Denmark has not kept pace or allocated the necessary resources to maintain this base, support our troops, and, in my opinion, ensure the safety of the people of Greenland against aggressive incursions from Russia, China, and other countries,” Mr. Vance stated.
The US Vice President did not provide any specifics regarding the alleged incursions.
During his visit to the US military base at Pituffik in the northern part of the Arctic island, Mr. Vance’s remarks came just hours after a new broad government coalition was introduced in the capital, Nuuk, aimed at maintaining relations with Denmark for the time being.
Upon his arrival, the US Vice President met with members of the US armed forces, expressing gratitude for their service at the remote base located 1,200 km north of the Arctic Circle.
The temperature at Pituffik was a chilly -19 C.
While Mr. Vance’s visit was ongoing, US President Donald Trump informed reporters at the White House that the United States needs Greenland to guarantee “peace in the entire world.”
“We need Greenland, very importantly, for international security. We have to have Greenland. It’s not a question of whether we can do without it; we can’t,” Mr. Trump asserted.
He added that Greenland’s waterways are filled with “Chinese and Russian ships all over the place,” emphasizing that the United States will not depend on Denmark or anyone else to manage the situation.
Mr. Trump stated that Denmark and the European Union comprehend the significance of Greenland for global peace, and if they do not, “we’re going to have to explain it to them,” he stated.
Greenland’s new Prime Minister commented that the US visit represented a “lack of respect” and called for solidarity in facing “pressure from outside.”
Statement of support was also issued by Denmark’s king on social media, affirming, “We live in an altered reality. There should be no doubt that my love for Greenland and my connection to the people of Greenland are intact,” remarked King Frederik.
The US delegation includes Mr. Vance’s wife, Usha, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
Initially, the plan for the trip involved Vance’s wife attending a dog-sled race on the island with Mr. Waltz, despite not being invited by authorities in either Greenland or Denmark.
Public protests and discontent from officials in both Greenland and Denmark led to the US delegation’s decision to fly exclusively to the military base without engaging with the public.
The US-operated Pituffik base in northwest Greenland
According to a 1951 agreement, the US has the right to visit its base at any time, provided it notifies Greenland and Copenhagen.
Pituffik is strategically located along the shortest route from Europe to North America and plays a crucial role in the US ballistic missile warning system.
The island, whose capital is closer to New York than the Danish capital of Copenhagen, is rich in minerals, oil, and natural gas, but development has been slow, and the mining sector has seen limited US investment.
The mining companies operating in Greenland are predominantly Australian, Canadian, or British.
A White House official noted that Greenland possesses an abundant supply of rare earth minerals necessary for the next generation of the US economy.
New government
Greenland’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, emphasized the need for political unity.
“In a time when we as a people are under pressure, we must stand together,” Mr. Nielsen stated at a press conference.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of the Demokraatit party, emerged as the largest party in the 11 March elections, advocating for a gradual independence from Denmark.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who previously deemed the initial plans for the US visit “unacceptable,” congratulated Greenland on its new government in an Instagram post:
“I look forward to close cooperation during these unnecessarily conflict-ridden times.”
‘Not for sale’
Some residents of Nuuk expressed their anger towards the Trump administration ahead of Mr. Vance’s visit.
“I am a human being. Humans are not for sale. We are not for sale,” protested Tungutaq Larsen, a filmmaker, in a statement to Reuters.
Surveys indicate that almost all Greenlanders oppose becoming part of the United States.
Protests against American influence, with demonstrators donning “Make America Go Away” caps and holding “Yankees Go Home” banners, have led to some of the largest demonstrations witnessed in Greenland.
On the previous day, residents of Nuuk placed Greenlandic flags in the snow alongside a cardboard sign stating “Our Land. Our Future.”
