“Our message to Denmark is very simple,” Vance said. “You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland. You have under-invested in the people of Greenland and you have under-invested in the security of this incredible, beautiful landmass.”
“For many years we have stood side by side with the Americans in very difficult situations,” she said. “Therefore, it is not an accurate way for the vice-president to refer to Denmark.” She said Denmark had significantly increased defence spending, but would further boost its investment with more surveillance, new Arctic ships, long-range drones and satellite capacity.
“We are ready – day and night – to co-operate with the Americans,” she said. “A co-operation that must be based on the necessary international rules of the game.” US Vice-President JD Vance has accused Denmark of leaving Greenland vulnerable to alleged incursions by China and Russia, as he asked its people to “cut a deal” with the US.
Speaking during a visit to the Arctic island, Vance minimised recent threats by US President Donald Trump to take over the island by force.
Instead, he urged Greenlanders to sever ties with Denmark, which has owned the island for more than 300 years, saying it had not invested enough to protect the semi-autonomous territory. An overwhelming majority of Greenlanders oppose the idea of annexation, a poll indicated in January. Greenland’s prime minister has said the US visit showed a “lack of respect”. Lars Lokke Rasmussen, the Scandinavian nation’s foreign minister, said Danes were “open to criticism” but “do not appreciate the tone in which it is being delivered”, in a video message addressed to “American friends”.
He noted the US’s military presence in Greenland had shrunk from 17 bases in 1945 to one housing around 200 soldiers, adding: “We can do more, much more, within the framework we have today. Let us do it together.”
Friday’s visit was initially billed as a “cultural” tour by Vance’s wife, Usha, where she would watch a dog-sledding race, but it spiralled over multiple days of adjustments as the visit attracted scrutiny and security concerns, with multiple protests planned.
Instead, Vance and the second lady were in Greenland for just a few hours, visiting only the Pituffik Space Base, a missile defence facility in the remote north of the island, some 930 miles (1,500km) from the capital, Nuuk.
Vance used the opportunity to take aim at Denmark, alleging it had to “keep the people of Greenland safe from a lot of very aggressive incursions from Russia, from China, and other nations”, without providing further details.
He specifically called out the countries for taking interest in routes and minerals in the region, as the island of 57,000 people is believed to hold massive untapped mineral and oil reserves.
In his remarks, Vance sought to reassure the people of Greenland that the US would not use military force to take the island from Denmark. Instead, he urged Greenlanders to embrace “self-determination” and sever ties with Denmark, which has controlled the region since 1721. “We think we’re going to be able to cut a deal, Donald Trump-style, to ensure the security of this territory,” Vance said.
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