Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen expressed his dissatisfaction over the “tone” of US Vice President JD Vance’s comments that Copenhagen had not done enough for Greenland.
“We are open to criticisms, but let me be completely honest, we do not appreciate the tone in which it’s being delivered,” Rasmussen said on X.
“This is not how you speak to your close allies, and I still consider Denmark and the United States to be close allies,” he said.
While visiting Vance said: “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.”
Vance was accompanied by his wife, Usha, national security adviser Mike Waltz, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Utah Senator Mike Lee and former Homeland Security adviser Julia Nesheiwat, who is Waltz’s wife.
The trip was much scaled back from the initial three-day visit announced which would have seen .
Denmark’s PM pushes back
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also hit back at Vance in a statement, as she referred to Danish combat deployments alongside US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“For many years, we have stood by the Americans in very difficult situations,” Frederiksen said. “The vice president’s reference to Denmark is not accurate.”
US President Donald Trump has argued that the United States needs Greenland for national and international security and has refused to rule out the use of force to secure it. He has also said Denmark has not done enough to ensure the safety of the Arctic Island.
“We are not talking about peace for the United States. We are talking about world peace. We are talking about international security,” Trump claimed to reporters at the White House on Friday.
Rasmussen used his two-minute video on X to highlight Copenhagen’s commitment in January to allocate almost $2 billion (€1.84 billion) to beef up its presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic, acquiring specialized vessels and surveillance equipment.
US claims Greenland base essential part of defense against Russia
The US regards Pituffik base, which Vance visited, as an essential part of its missile defence infrastructure since its location in the Arctic puts it on the shortest route for missiles fired from Russia at the United States.
Known as Thule Air Base until 2023, it served as a warning post for possible attacks from the Soviet Union during the Cold War. It is also a strategic location for air and submarine surveillance.
Greenland is believed to hold massive untapped mineral and oil reserves, although oil and uranium exploration are banned.
Trump’s desire to take over the territory has been categorically rejected by Greenlanders, their politicians and Danish officials.
Edited by Sean Sinico
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