Vice President JD Vance has criticized Denmark’s handling of Greenland, claiming they have failed to protect and support Greenland’s population.
During a visit to the Arctic territory on Friday, Vance would even suggest that Greenlanders should seek independence and forge a partnership with the United States, according to New York Post.
“Our argument is not with the people of Greenland, who have an incredible opportunity here. Our argument is with Denmark’s leadership, which has under-invested in Greenland and its security,” Vance said.
The vice president and his wife, Usha, visited the U.S. Pituffik Space Base on Greenland’s northern coast, emphasizing the island’s strategic significance. He pointed to the growing interest of Russia and China in the Arctic, warning that Greenland’s security was critical to U.S. national defense.
“When the president says, ‘We’ve got to have Greenland,’ he’s saying this island is not safe,” Vance stated, reinforcing Washington’s stance that only the U.S. would respect Greenland’s sovereignty while ensuring its security.
Greenland, home to about 57,000 people, has limited defense infrastructure, with Denmark maintaining only a minimal security presence.
Still, Vance's comments were notably more measured than former President Donald Trump’s blunt calls for annexation as he Instead outlined a process where Greenlanders would first vote for independence before engaging in negotiations with the U.S.
“What we think is going to happen is that the Greenlanders are going to choose, through self-determination, to become independent of Denmark, and then we’re going to have conversations from there,” he said.
The U.S. has long explored a “compact of free association” model for Greenland, similar to its arrangements with Pacific island nations, offering security and economic support in exchange for strategic access. Vance also warned of the risks posed by foreign investment, particularly from China, accusing Beijing of attempting to entrap Greenland in debt-driven infrastructure projects.
“Other countries have explicitly gone after Greenland with a mind toward economic exploitation,” he said, warning against “terrible economic debt traps” that could compromise Greenland’s sovereignty.
The vice president underscored the importance of Pituffik’s early-warning missile detection capabilities and called for stronger U.S. leadership in the Arctic. “If America doesn’t lead in the Arctic, other nations will fill the gap,” he warned.
The Vances’ visit, accompanied by national security and congressional officials, was met with mixed reactions. Usha Vance had originally planned to attend a dog sled race in southern Greenland, but the visit was canceled due to local political opposition.
