Vice President JD Vance arrives at Pituffik House Base in Greenland, Friday, March 28, 2025.
Jim Watson/AP/POOL AFP
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Jim Watson/AP/POOL AFP
NUUK, Greenland — The Danish international minister on Saturday scolded the Trump administration for its “tone” in criticizing Denmark and Greenland, saying his nation is already investing extra into Arctic safety and stays open to extra cooperation with the U.S.
Overseas Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen Made The Remarks In A Video Posted to Social Media After U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s go to to the strategic island. Later Saturday, although, U.S. President Donald Trump maintained an aggressive tone, telling NBC Information that “I by no means take army drive off the desk” with regard to buying Greenland.
“Many accusations and plenty of allegations have been made. And naturally we’re open to criticism,” Rasmussen stated talking in English. “However let me be fully sincere: we don’t admire the tone wherein it’s being delivered. This isn’t the way you communicate to your shut allies. And I nonetheless think about Denmark and america to be shut allies.”
Greenland is a territory of Denmark, which is a NATO ally of america. Trump needs to annex the territory, claiming it is wanted for nationwide safety functions.
In Saturday’s interview, Trump allowed that “I believe there is a good chance that we might do it with out army drive.”
“That is world peace, that is worldwide safety,” he stated, however added: “I do not take something off the desk.”
Trump additionally stated “I do not care” when requested within the NBC interview what message it will ship to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who’s attempting to solidify his maintain on Ukrainian territory three years after his invasion.
Vance on Friday stated Denmark has “underinvested” in Greenland’s safety and demanded that Denmark change its method as Trump pushes to take over the Danish territory.
Vance visited U.S. troops on Pituffik House Base on mineral-rich Greenland alongside his spouse and different senior U.S. officers for a visit that was finally scaled again after an uproar amongst Greenlanders and Danes who weren’t consulted concerning the unique itinerary.
“Our message to Denmark may be very easy: You haven’t achieved a great job by the folks of Greenland,” Vance stated Friday. “You’ve gotten underinvested within the folks of Greenland, and you’ve got underinvested within the safety structure of this unimaginable, stunning landmass full of unimaginable folks. That has to vary.”
Trump on Friday launched a video on his social networking website Reality Social entitled “America Stands With Greenland,” exhibiting footage of U.S. troops there throughout World Warfare II.
In Greenland, Vance stated the U.S. has “no possibility” however to take a major place to make sure the safety of the island as he inspired a push in Greenland for independence from Denmark.
“I believe that they finally will associate with america,” Vance stated. “We might make them far more safe. We might do much more safety. And I believe they’d fare loads higher economically as nicely.”
The response by members of Greenland’s parliament and residents has rendered that unlikely, with anger erupting over the Trump administration’s makes an attempt to annex the huge Arctic island. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen pushed again on Vance’s declare that Denmark is not doing sufficient for protection within the Arctic, calling her nation “a great and robust ally.”
And Greenlandic lawmakers on Thursday agreed to type a brand new authoritiesbanding collectively to withstand Trump’s overtures. 4 of the 5 events elected to Greenland’s parliament earlier this month have agreed to type a coalition that may have 23 of 31 seats within the legislature.
The next day, Danish King Frederik X posted on Fb: “We dwell in an altered actuality. There needs to be little doubt that my love for Greenland and my connectedness to the folks of Greenland are intact.”
Lots of of protesters demonstrated Saturday exterior the U.S. Embassy within the Danish capital Copenhagen with some lifting indicators saying, “again off, USA” Danish broadcaster TV2 reported.
Even Greenland’s nationwide dogsled race – Avannaata Qimussersu – which kicked off Saturday with some 37 mushers and 444 canines was not left unaffected. Usha Vance, the vp’s spouse, who was initially scheduled to attend the race opted out when her husband determined to affix the journey and go to the army base as an alternative, decreasing the chance that they might cross paths with Greenlanders.
Løkke Rasmussen, in his video, reminded viewers of the 1951 protection settlement between Denmark and america. Since 1945, the American army presence in Greenland has decreased from 1000’s of troopers over 17 bases and installations on the island, he stated, to the distant Pituffik House Base within the northwest with some 200 troopers at this time.
The 1951 settlement “presents ample alternative for america to have a a lot stronger army presence in Greenland,” the international minister stated. “If that’s what you would like, then allow us to focus on it.”
Løkke Rasmussen added that Denmark has elevated its personal funding into Arctic protection. In January, Denmark introduced 14.6 billion Danish kroner (US$2.1 billion) in monetary commitments for Arctic safety overlaying three new naval vessels, long-range drones and satellites.
