Vance Predicts Greenland ‘Ultimately Will Partner’ With U.S.—Without Military Intervention

 

Vice President JD Vance (C) poses with Second Lady Usha Vance (2nd L), National Security Advisor Mike Waltz (3rd L), his wife, former homeland security advisor, Julia Nesheiwat (L) and Secretary of Energy Chris Wright (R) as they tour the US military's Pituffik Space Base on March 28, 2025 in Pituffik, Greenland.

Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism Greenlanders will “ultimately partner with the United States” and “choose” to become independent, accusing Denmark of having “underinvested” in the territory that President Donald Trump has insisted should become part of the U.S.

Key Facts

Vance said the U.S. does “not think that military force is ever going to be necessary” to take control of Greenland during a speech there Friday at at Pituffik Space Base, where he said the U.S. has “no other option” but “to take a significant position in Greenland to keep the people here safe and to keep our own country safe.”

Vance, calling Greenland “extremely vulnerable,” said the U.S. acquisition “has to happen,” because Denmark has “not done their job in keeping this area safe,” while referencing China and Russia’s growing interest in gaining influence in the Arctic.

Vance visited Greenland with his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz as Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to take ownership of the Danish territory, saying this week “we need it. We have to have it.”

Trump previously suggested the U.S. could use military force to take over the island and threatened tariffs against Denmark if it attempts to prevent a U.S. annexation.

The original plans for the visit, which involved Usha Vance attending a dog sled race, were scrapped amid backlash from Greenlanders and its government, with outgoing Prime Minister Mute Egede calling the trip “highly aggressive” and a “clear provocation.”

The White House characterized the trip as an “opportunity to build on partnerships that respects Greenland’s self-determination” and “learn about Greenland, its culture, history and people.”

Tangent

Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of the center-right Demokraatit Party that won Greenland’s parliamentary election earlier this month, was sworn in as prime minister Friday. Nielsen has rejected Trump’s push to take over the territory, telling Sky News shortly after his party won the election, “we don’t want to be Americans. No, we don’t want to be Danes. We want to be Greenlanders. And we want our own independence in the future. And we want to build our country by ourselves.” Greenland announced it will form a new coalition government made up of four of the five major political parties represented in Greenland’s parliament after the Demokraatit Party defeated the two left-leaning parties that governed the territory.

Key Background

Trump has proposed taking over Greenland since his first term, but has been significantly more aggressive about his desires during his second presidency. Global interest in the Danish territory has grown in recent years as the Arctic Circle has melted and opened new shipping lanes in the North Atlantic. It’s also believed to be rich in untapped mineral resources, including vast reserves of oil and natural gas. While Greenland is self-governed, Denmark handles its foreign relations, but Greenlanders have increasingly expressed interest in becoming fully independent from Demark.