Denmark Fires Back At US VP Vance Over Greenland Comments: ‘This Is Not How You Speak To Close Allies’

<p>Denmark on Saturday expressed displeasure over the “tone” of US Vice President JD Vance&rsquo;s remarks, in which he hit out at Copenhagen for not doing enough for Greenland during his visit to the strategically significant, resource-rich territory.</p>
<p>”We are open to criticisms, but let me be completely honest, we do not appreciate the tone in which it’s being delivered. This is not how you speak to your close allies, and I still consider Denmark and the United States to be close allies,” Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said in a video message on X.</p>
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-media-max-width=”560″>
<p dir=”ltr” lang=”en”>Dear American friends. <br /><br />We agree that status quo in the Artcic is not an option. <br /><br />So let&rsquo;s talk about how we can fix it – together. <br /><br />Lars L&oslash;kke Rasmussen <br />Danish Foreign Minister <a href=”https://t.co/vQrcUP7cwi”>pic.twitter.com/vQrcUP7cwi</a></p>
&mdash; Lars L&oslash;kke Rasmussen (@larsloekke) <a href=”https://twitter.com/larsloekke/status/1905764027210547565?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>March 28, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<p>US Vice President JD Vance’s statement came during his trip to the Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland. “Our message to Denmark is very simple: You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland,” Vance said in a press conference, AFP reported.</p>
<p>”You have under-invested in the people of Greenland and you have under-invested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass,” he added.</p>
<p>Former US President Donald Trump has long argued that Greenland is crucial for US national and international security, even refusing to rule out the use of force to secure it. “We are not talking about peace for the United States. We are talking about world peace. We are talking about international security,” Trump said on Friday.</p>
<p>When questioned about the potential use of force, Vance emphasised the US administration did not anticipate such a scenario. “We think this makes sense, and because we think the people of Greenland are rational and good, we think we’re going to be able to cut a deal, Donald Trump-style, to ensure the security of this territory but also the United States of America,” Vance said.</p>
<p>Hitting back at Vance in a statement, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also said, “For many years, we have stood by the Americans in very difficult situations.” She also highlighted deployments of Danish forces alongside American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.</p>
<p>”The Vice President’s reference to Denmark is not accurate,” she said.</p>
<h2>Greenlanders Oppose Any US Annexation</h2>
<p>Danish and Greenlandic officials, with support from the European Union, have firmly stated that the United States will not gain control over Greenland. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen criticised the US delegation&rsquo;s uninvited visit to the Arctic island, calling it an attempt to exert “unacceptable pressure” on both Greenland and Denmark. &nbsp;</p>
<p>A January poll indicated that the majority of Greenlanders oppose any US annexation. &nbsp;</p>
<p>The Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base until 2023, is a crucial component of Washington’s missile defense system. Its Arctic location places it on the shortest trajectory for missiles launched from Russia toward the United States. The base has historically served as a key warning station during the Cold War and remains strategically significant for air and submarine surveillance.</p>
<p>Greenland, home to approximately 57,000 people&mdash;most of whom are Inuits&mdash;is believed to contain vast untapped minerals and oil reserves. However, the extraction of oil and uranium remains prohibited. &nbsp;</p>
<p>Former US President Donald Trump’s push to acquire Greenland has been firmly rejected by Greenlandic citizens, their political leaders, and Danish authorities. Although all of Greenland&rsquo;s political parties advocated for eventual independence, none supported joining the United States. &nbsp;</p>
<p>Just hours before the US delegation&rsquo;s arrival, Greenland announced a new broad-based four-party coalition government following recent elections. Incoming Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen emphasised the need for unity during this period.</p>
<p>”It is very important that we put aside our disagreements and differences… because only in this way will we be able to cope with the heavy pressure we are exposed to from outside,” he said.</p>
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