During a visit to Pitafik Space Station on Friday, Vance told the US troops that Denmark had “underinvested” in Greenland’s safety and that Copenhagen had requested that Copenhagen change its approach.
The Danish Foreign Minister scolded the Trump administration for the “tone” in criticizing Denmark and Greenland, saying his country has invested more in Arctic security and continues to accept more cooperation with the US
Lars Løkke Rasmussen made his remarks in a video posted on social media after visiting Greenland on Friday, when US Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland.
“There are a lot of charges and a lot of allegations, and of course we are open to criticism,” Rasmussen said.
“But I’m totally honest. We’re not grateful for the tone it’s being delivered. This is not the way you talk to your close allies. And I still think Denmark and the US are close ally.”
In his video, Løkke Rasmussen reminded viewers of the 1951 defense agreement between Denmark and the United States.
(Since 1945, the presence of American forces in Greenland has diminished from thousands of soldiers across 17 bases and facilities on the island to remote Pitafik Space Stations in the northwest, with around 200 soldiers today.
The 1951 agreement “provides ample opportunities for the United States to have a stronger military presence in Greenland,” the Foreign Minister said. “If that’s what you want, let’s discuss it.”
Løkke Rasmussen added that Denmark has increased its own investment in Arctic defense.
In January, Denmark announced 14.6 billion Danish cloners (1.9 billion euros) in its financial commitment to Arctic security covering three new naval vessels, long-range drones and satellites.
Vance criticizes Denmark
During a visit to the Pituffuk Space Station, Vance told the US military that Denmark had “underinvestment” in Greenland’s security, demanding that Copenhagen change its approach as President Donald Trump continues to threaten to take over semi-autonomous territory.
Vance’s trip to Greenland was reduced after a stir between the Greenlanders and the Danes, along with his wife and other senior US officials, who were not consulted about the original itinerary.
“The message to Denmark is very simple. We’re not doing a good job from the people of Greenland,” Vance said Friday.
“You’re invested in Greenlanders and you’ve lost your investment in this incredibly beautiful land security architecture filled with incredible people. That has to change.”
Vance said the US had “no option,” but he said it would take a critical position to ensure the island was safe as it encouraged a push in Greenland for independence from Denmark.
“I think they’ll eventually partner with the US,” Vance said. “We were able to make them safer. We were able to provide more protection, and I think they are just as much better economically.”
However, the responses from Greenland lawmakers and residents are unlikely to erupt at the Trump administration’s repeated threat of annexing the vast Arctic island.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredericksen pushed back Vance’s claim that Denmark was not sufficient to defend in the Arctic Circle, calling her country a “good and strong ally.”
And in a further show of rage against the Trump administration, hundreds of protesters demonstrated outside the US embassy in Copenhagen on Saturday, with some signs saying “US, back-off.”
