Yesterday marked the most significant effort by the White House to assert American control over Greenland, highlighted by Vice President JD Vance’s contentious visit, which received backing from President Donald Trump from the U.S.
If you missed the fast-paced events of yesterday, here’s a recap:
Vance’s (unwelcome) visit: Initially framed by the White House as a visit by second lady Usha Vance to better understand Greenlandic culture, the situation escalated earlier this week when the outgoing leader of the Danish territory deemed the US visit as “highly aggressive,” particularly given Trump’s annexation objectives.
As criticisms regarding his wife’s visit intensified, Vance opted to accompany her. The couple visited the remote US Space Force installation at Pituffik, located 1,000 miles from Nuuk, the capital.
In the company of enthusiastic US soldiers, the vice president notably avoided places where public sentiment might differ.
What Vance articulated: During his address at the base, the vice president criticized Denmark for allegedly neglecting the security of its territory, asserting that the US could no longer overlook perceived threats posed by Russia and China toward the island.
He consistently emphasized that the island was at risk, insisting that the United States had “no alternative” but to enhance its military presence there — a move he argued would ultimately safeguard the local population.
Meanwhile, at the White House: Speaking to reporters, Trump remarked on Friday that the US must “have Greenland” for national security, contending that control of the territory is essential for global peace “for the entire world,” not just for the United States, given its strategic significance and the presence of naval vessels nearby.
How this is being received: Politicians in Greenland have consistently indicated their opposition to annexation, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has urged Trump to honor “the fundamental rules of sovereignty.”
A January newspaper poll revealed that 85% of Greenlanders do not wish to become part of the United States, as reported by Reuters.
