After saying Greenland was ‘cold as shit’, US Vice President JD Vance slammed Denmark for ‘under-investing’ in the territory’s security.
He and Second Lady Usha Vance landed with a US delegation to visit the self-governing, mineral-rich territory of Denmark that Donald Trump has suggested the US should take over.
Initially Usha had announced a solo trip to the Avannaata Qimussersu dog sled race in Sisimiut. Vance then said he would join her, only to change the itinerary again – after protests from Greenland and Denmark – to a one-day visit of the couple to the military post only.
Vance visited US troops at Pituffik Space Base on the mineral-rich, strategically critical island.
He slammed the territory’s ruling nation in remarks, saying: ‘Our message to Denmark is very simple: you have not done a good job by the people of Greenland.
‘You have underinvested in the people of Greenland, and you have under-invested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass filled with incredible people. That has to change.’
Vance also said the US has ‘no option’ but to take a significant position to ensure the security of Greenland.
‘I think that they ultimately will partner with the United States,’ he added.
‘We could make them much more secure. We could do a lot more protection. And I think they’d fare a lot better economically as well.’
Vance’s trip was overshadowed by angry Greenlanders and Danes, who expressed outrage that the original itinerary was planned without consulting them.
Friday’s one-day visit to the US Space Force outpost at Pituffik, on the north-west coast of Greenland, removed the risk of potentially violating diplomatic custom by sending a delegation to another country without an official invitation.
It also reduced the likelihood that Vance and his wife would cross paths with residents angered by Trump’s announcements.
Trump previously slammed Denmark’s control over Greenland after previously saying the US should take it over.
‘A boat landed there 200 years ago or something. And they say they have rights to it,’ Trump said. I don’t know if that’s true. I don’t think it is, actually.’
All five parties in Greenland’s parliament issued a joint statement last week rejecting Mr Trump’s remarks.
Denmark has recognised Greenland’s right to independence at a time of its choosing.
Beyond his focus on Greenland, Trump has refused to rule out military intervention in Panama to retake that country’s canal, saying that Canada should be America’s 51st state.
He also suggested that US interests could assume control of the war-torn Gaza Strip from Israel and redevelop it as a “Riviera”-like seaside resort.
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