U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said Washington sees no need for military force in pursuing a potential deal with Greenland, during a rare visit Friday to the American military installation at Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland — a Danish territory long eyed by President Donald Trump.
“We don’t believe military force will ever be necessary. We think this simply makes sense,” Vance said during a press conference at the base. He added that he believes President Trump can successfully reach an agreement with Greenland through diplomacy and mutual interest.
Vance’s remarks come amid growing tensions between Washington and Copenhagen over U.S. interest in expanding its strategic footprint in the Arctic. The vice president criticized Denmark for what he called “insufficient efforts” to protect Greenland from growing Russian and Chinese influence in the region, warning that the U.S. is prepared to invest more heavily in security infrastructure — including icebreakers and patrol ships — to counter foreign threats.
The comments drew sharp rebuke from Danish officials. Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen urged the U.S. to change its tone, stating, “This is not how close allies speak to one another.”
Vance’s visit, which had initially been planned as a two-day tour, was shortened and limited to Pituffik Space Base, reportedly due to the lack of an official invitation from Denmark and concerns about potential diplomatic fallout.
Meanwhile, political leaders in Greenland are pushing back. Just days before Vance’s arrival, four of the five parties elected to the Greenlandic parliament earlier this month signed an agreement to form a new coalition government — a move seen as an effort to present a united front amid increasing U.S. interest in the island.
President Trump has previously described Greenland as “strategically important” and reportedly revived discussions of a potential acquisition or expanded partnership, following similar interest during his first term.
