Vance tells Greenlanders they'd be better off being part of the United States
Quote:
Vice President Vance told the people of Greenland that they would be better off being part of the United States rather than Denmark in remarks during a visit to a U.S. military base in the Arctic territory on Friday.
Vance said Greenland has the right to self-determination — and said he did not expect that the United States would forcibly annex the territory.
"I think that you'd be a lot better ... coming under the United States' security umbrella than you have been under the Denmark security umbrella," he said during remarks at Pituffik Space Base.
"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 underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass filled with incredible people. That has to change, and because it hasn't changed, this is why President Trump's policy in Greenland is what it is," Vance said.
Vance made the trip to the Danish territory with second lady Usha Vance, national security adviser Michael Waltz, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and other leaders.
It was a scaled-down itinerary after Greenlandic and Danish leaders criticized the U.S. for not having informed them. The original plans called for a solo visit by the second lady to the capital city, Nuuk, for a cultural tour and to attend a dogsled race.
Vance said Greenland has the right to self-determination — and said he did not expect that the United States would forcibly annex the territory.
"I think that you'd be a lot better ... coming under the United States' security umbrella than you have been under the Denmark security umbrella," he said during remarks at Pituffik Space Base.
"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 underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass filled with incredible people. That has to change, and because it hasn't changed, this is why President Trump's policy in Greenland is what it is," Vance said.
Vance made the trip to the Danish territory with second lady Usha Vance, national security adviser Michael Waltz, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and other leaders.
It was a scaled-down itinerary after Greenlandic and Danish leaders criticized the U.S. for not having informed them. The original plans called for a solo visit by the second lady to the capital city, Nuuk, for a cultural tour and to attend a dogsled race.
"We need Greenland, very importantly, for international security — we have to have Greenland. It's not a question of 'Do you think we can do without it?' We can't," Trump said Friday. "We're not relying on Denmark or anybody else to take care of that situation."
Denmark doesn't 'appreciate the tone' of US Greenland remarks, minister saysQuote:
Denmark is open to discussions with the U.S. on how to "fix" the status quo in Greenland, the country's foreign minister said, after Vice President JD Vance accused Copenhagen of failing to adequately protect the Arctic island during a controversial visit on Friday.
In a post to X addressed to Denmark's "dear American friends" late Friday, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said his nation agrees that the "status quo" in the Arctic "is not an option."
"So let's talk about how we can fix it -- together," Rasmussen wrote.
In a video statement, Rasmussen acknowledged the "many accusations and many allegations" about Greenland. "Of course, we are open to criticism, 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," Rasmussen continued, "and I still consider Denmark and the United States to be close allies."
Danish and Greenlandic leaders have pushed back on Trump's desire to gain control of Greenland. They have simultaneously criticized his perceived overreach while seeking to ease tensions by proposing deeper military and economic cooperation on the Arctic landmass.
"We respect that the United States needs a greater military presence in Greenland, as Vice President Vance mentioned this evening. We -- Denmark and Greenland -- are very much open to discussing this with you," Rasmussen said in his statement.
The existing bilateral defense agreement -- signed in 1951 -- "offers ample opportunity for the United States to have a much stronger military presence in Greenland," Rasmussen said. "If that is what you wish, then let us discuss it."
Rasmussen said that both Denmark and the U.S. had done too little in the Arctic since the end of the Cold War. "We all acted on the assumption that the Arctic was and should be a low tension area, but that time is over," he said. "Status quo is not an option”.
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