Denmark has strongly objected to recent comments by United States Vice President JD Vance, who accused Denmark of insufficient efforts regarding Greenland.
Vance and his wife, Usha, visited Greenland on Friday during a tour of the Pituffik space base located in the northwestern part of the island. However, his statements at a press conference sparked controversy and were perceived by both Copenhagen and Nuuk as provocative.
“Our message to Denmark is very simple: you have not done a good job by the people of Greenland,” Vance stated.
He further criticized Denmark for allegedly neglecting investments in Greenland’s population and security infrastructure.
In response, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen addressed the remarks via X on Saturday, expressing dissatisfaction with the approach taken by Vance.
“We are open to criticisms, but let me be completely honest, we do not appreciate the tone in which it’s being delivered,” Rasmussen said.
“This is not how you speak to your close allies, and I still consider Denmark and the United States to be close allies.”
Previously, President Donald Trump had emphasized America’s strategic need for Greenland, refusing to dismiss the possibility of force to secure the Arctic territory.
Vance echoed these sentiments, adding, “I think Greenland understands that the United States should own it.
“And if Denmark and the EU don’t understand it, we have to explain it to them. We need Greenland. Very importantly, for international security, we have to have Greenland.”
