Denmark on Friday found himself in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump. Trump appears to be honing his administration now claims that Copenhagen could not protect Greenland from Russian and Chinese attacks.
Speaking to American soldiers from the US Pitafik Space Station in northwestern Greenland, Vice President Vance said: “Denmark is not doing a good job of keeping Greenland safe.”
“What we think will happen is that the Greenlanders are trying to choose to become independent from Denmark,” Vance explained with a more toned approach from Trump's previous statement. “And from there I'm going to have a conversation with the people of Greenland.”
Vice President J.D. Vice President Vance (Lecturer) will be praised after speaking at the US military Pitafik Space Station on March 28, 2025 at Pitafik, Greenland. The itinerary for the visit was reduced after broader travel plans drew criticism from officials in Greenland and Danish. (Photo: Jim Watson – Pool/Getty Images)
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The Vice President's answer was to win Greenland in response to a question from a reporter about how long Trump will go to win Greenland despite strong resistance within the Arctic nation, as the president has previously been his ambition.
“I don't think it's going to require military strength,” Vance continued. “And I think Greenlanders are reasonable and good, so I think we can cut down on Donald Trump-style deals to ensure the security of not only this territory but the United States of America.”
Vance said Russia and China are running in the region with little checks without proper protection from Denmark and are “invading” in Greenland.
Although Greenland is an autonomous country, it still means that it is Danish territory and Copenhagen oversees its security needs.
March 27th, 2025, Nuuk House in Greenland. Reuters/Leonhard Foger/File Photo
Greenland currently does not have its own military and will no longer be protected by NATO as NATO will have to formally apply as an independent state if it leaves Denmark.
“The security footprint is expanding to the security interests of Russia and China. They are doing what they believe in their interests,” Vance said. “The US must make our interest in what I know, to make sure Greenland is safe.
“If Greenland had no self-determination, if the people of Greenland control their future by the Chinese Communist Party, it would not intend to make their lives better, and most importantly, it would make America and the world far weaker.”
US Vice President JD Vance is posing with Second Lady Ushavance, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, his wife, former Homeland Security Advisor, Julia Neshwatt, and energy secretary. (Jim Watson/Pool via Reuters.)
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Vance said he hopes Greenland will have American weapons rather than Chinese weapons, and believes that if the Arctic state votes for independence from Denmark, it will secure a partnership.
While some in Greenland say they are interested in securing a partnership with Washington, which could include access to fishing lanes in exchange for defense guarantees, Trump has shown that he may be more interested in the country's rare earth minerals and energy opportunities.
However, greenery has previously blocked the EU from making transactions to access those coveted resources.
Vice President JD Vance arrives to arrive in Air Force 2 after touring US military Pituffik Space Base at Pituffik in Greenland on March 28, 2025. The itinerary for the visit was reduced after broader travel plans drew criticism from officials in Greenland and Danish. (Photo: Jim Watson – Pool/Getty Images)
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“When the president says he has to have Greenland, he says the island is not safe,” Vance said. “A lot of people are interested in it, a lot of people play.
“Our message is very simple. Yes, the people in Greenland are going to make their own decisions,” he continued. “We hope they choose to partner with the US.
“We are the only country on the planet that respects their sovereignty and respects their safety, because their safety is ours,” Vance said.
