United States Vice President, JD Vance, during a contentious visit to Greenland, delivered the strongest argument yet for American influence over the island, a move that sparked resistance from local residents and condemnation from its leadership.
Speaking at an American military installation in the Arctic Circle, Vance emphasized the necessity of demonstrating strength in international relations.
“We want to have good relationships with everybody,” he stated. “But part of having good relations is showing your strength when you have to.”
The trip follows President Donald Trump’s repeated assertions that the United States is determined to acquire Greenland “one way or another.”
Vance, who made the last-minute decision to join the visit, accused Denmark of failing in its stewardship of the territory and warned of alleged Russian and Chinese interests in the region.
“Our message to Denmark is very simple,” he declared. “You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland.”
He stressed that the United States had “no other option” but to expand its presence, arguing that Greenland’s security would be better served under American protection than under Denmark’s.
“Greenland would be better off coming under the United States’ security umbrella than you have been under Denmark’s security umbrella,” he said. “It is the policy of the United States to see changes to the island’s Danish leadership.”
Despite these remarks, Vance acknowledged the principle of self-determination for Greenlanders.
“Yes, the people of Greenland are going to have self-determination. We hope that they choose to partner with the U.S. because we’re the only nation on earth that will respect their sovereignty and respect their security, because their security is very much our security,” he affirmed.
Originally, the visit was planned as a cultural engagement led by Second Lady Usha Vance, who had intended to attend a traditional dog sled race.
However, in light of the growing controversy surrounding the trip, JD Vance opted to accompany her, transforming the visit into a high-stakes diplomatic maneuver.
“It was a combination of a little bit of commotion from Danish leaders combined with Vance wanting to go for a while,” a senior White House official revealed.
Announcing his decision in a video earlier in the week, Vance joked, “I decided I didn’t want her to have all that fun by herself and so I’m going to join her.”
His presence elevated the trip significantly, marking him as the highest-ranking U.S. official to ever visit Greenland and the northernmost-traveling American leader on an official visit.
However, the agenda took a distinct military focus, and the delegation remained isolated from potential protests.
While the White House dismissed suggestions that demonstrations influenced itinerary changes, analysts viewed the adjustments as a strategic move to avoid direct confrontations.
“The Vances clearly realized that if they visited Nuuk or Sisimiut, the strategy would backfire even more than it has: it would be a PR disaster,” observed Dwayne Ryan Menezes, director of the UK-based Polar Research and Policy Initiative.
Protests had been planned in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, and in Sisimiut, where Usha Vance had initially been scheduled to attend the dog sled event.
Local activists organized demonstrations, with plans to turn their backs on her motorcade as a silent statement of opposition.
“We want to show the world that we don’t want to be a part of America,” said Sisimiut resident Minik Lange. “We are also aware that there is a lot of propaganda from the president to the American population that we want to be American citizens. That is one huge lie from him.”
Greenland’s political landscape also shifted just before the Vances arrived, with a new coalition government forming that excluded a pro-independence party open to U.S. collaboration.
“The coalition agreement could not have come at a better time as it will signal to the Vances the unity forged in defiance of Trump’s aggressive rhetoric and their ill-timed visit,” Menezes stated.
While American officials downplayed the controversy, locals welcomed the cancellation of the originally planned visits to Sisimiut and Nuuk.
“Most Greenlanders welcome tourists from the United States, but obviously this was not a tourist visit,” noted Nuuk-based pilot Jakob Nordstrøm.
JD Vance was accompanied by national security adviser Mike Waltz, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Republican Senator Mike Lee, all of whom have backed Trump’s push for U.S. control over Greenland.
As Trump continues to insist that the United States must acquire Greenland, the controversy surrounding the Vances’ visit only amplifies tensions in the region.
“We have to have it,” Trump reiterated earlier this week. “And I think we will have it.”
