On Friday, the Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, arrived in Greenland, emphasizing the continuous strengthening of American investment in Arctic security in the coming decades. He highlighted the crucial importance of Greenland’s security amidst increasing threats from China and Russia. This echoes President Donald Trump’s statement that Greenland holds strategic significance for “world peace.”
Vance visited the Pituffik Space Base, a US military base located about 1,200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle in northern Greenland. He greeted the stationed US troops, acknowledging President’s deep concern for Arctic security and jokingly remarked about the extreme cold weather, with temperatures dropping to minus 19 degrees Celsius.
Regarding Trump’s recent statement reiterating the need for the US to acquire Greenland, Vance further explained, “The President said so because this island faces threats, including from China. We respect Greenland’s right to self-determination, but we also hope they choose to cooperate with the United States, as only the US will truly respect their sovereignty and security.”
He added, “We see increasing interest from China and Russia in the region, while European allies have not kept pace. We cannot bury our heads in the snow, pretending that these countries have no interest in Greenland.”
When asked about drafting military plans for taking over Greenland, Vance responded, “We believe that in the future, the Greenlandic people will choose independence from Denmark and engage in dialogue with the US. This does not require military intervention.”
“Our message is simple. Yes, the people of Greenland will have self-determination. We hope they choose to cooperate with the US because we are the only country that will respect their sovereignty and ensure their security,” he further explained, emphasizing the interconnectedness of their security with the US’s.
Vance pointed out that China is exerting economic pressure on Greenland and attempting to expand influence, while Denmark’s security investment in the region is insufficient. Greenland is closer to New York than to Copenhagen, rich in minerals, oil, and natural gas, yet development is slow, with limited US investment, and most mining is led by Australian, Canadian, and British companies. A White House official stated that Greenland possesses crucial rare earth resources needed for US next-generation economic development.
Among Vance’s entourage on this trip were the Second Lady, Usha Vance, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Originally, some members were scheduled to attend a local sled dog race, but due to lack of invitation from Greenland or Danish officials and public protests, their itinerary was restricted to the base area.
According to the 1951 US-Denmark agreement, the US has free access to Pituffik Base with prior notification to Copenhagen and Greenland. The base, located on the shortest route from Europe to North America, is a vital point for the US ballistic missile early warning system.
During an interview at the White House on Wednesday, Trump stated, “We need Greenland, and the world needs us to have Greenland, including Denmark.” He emphasized that if the EU fails to understand this point, “then we have to make it clear.”
National Security Advisor Waltz highlighted that Trump takes Arctic security “very seriously” as it involves “navigation, energy, and fisheries.”
Earlier, Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, formed a new government. The newly appointed Prime Minister of Greenland expressed dissatisfaction with the US visit, stating it lacked respect and called on the people to unite in the face of “external pressures.”