Vance visit to Greenland met with cold welcome by locals
Vice President JD Vance pushed President Donald Trump’s agenda to acquire Greenland during his visit to a U.S. military base there.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen chastised U.S. officials following a trip by Vice President J.D. Vance to Greenland, saying the country is open to criticism but isn’t happy with how it’s being delivered.
Vance slammed Denmark during his visit Friday to its Arctic territory, saying the nation is “failing” to deliver security.
“Our message to Denmark is very simple,” Vance added. “You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland.”
Rasmussen shared a video on social media Friday after Vance’s trip. He opened by declaring he had a message “for our American friends.”
“Much is being said these days. Many accusations and many allegations have been made,” he said. “And of course, we are open to criticism. But let me be completely honest, we do not appreciate the tone in which it’s being delivered. This is not how you speak to your close allies.”
President Donald Trump repeatedly has talked about acquiring Greenland. The U.S. delegation visit was viewed as another step in that effort, one that some foreign policy observers believe backfired after it generated intense criticism in Greenland and Denmark.
A delegation led by second lady Usha Vance originally was scheduled to visit Greenland over three days, with a planned public appearance at a dog sled race. Following the outcry, the trip was scaled back to one day and limited to the military base, with the vice president joining.
Trump reiterated his desire Saturday to acquire Greenland.
“We’ll get Greenland. Yeah, 100%,” Trump told NBC News.