Denmark hits back at Vance's visit to Greenland: 'We do not appreciate the tone'

Denmark's foreign minister has hit out at the "tone" of comments made by the U.S. about Greenland, calling for "open-minded discussions" on the matter.

U.S. President Donald Trump has spoken publicly on several occasions regarding the possible annexation of Greenland, the semi-autonomous Danish territory.

On Friday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, alongside national security advisor Mike Waltz, visited U.S. troops in Greenland.

During comments made to personnel, Vance slammed Denmark for "not doing a good job by the people of Greenland."

"Our message to Denmark is very simple. You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland." Vance said.

"You have underinvested in the people of Greenland, and you have underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass filled with incredible people.That has to change. And because it hasn't changed, this is why President Trump's policy in Greenland is what it is."

Vance also pledged respect for Greenland's sovereignty but also suggested the territory would come to see the benefit of partnering the U.S.

'Open mind'

Denmark's foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen hit back at Vance's remarks.

"Much is being said these days. Many accusations and many allegations have been made. And of course, we are open to criticism. But let me be completely honest. We do not appreciate the tone in which it is being delivered," Rasmussen said.

"This is not how you speak to your close allies. And I still consider Denmark and the United States to be close allies. We respect that the United States needs a greater military presence in Greenland, as Vice President Vance mentioned. We, Denmark and Greenland, are very much open to discussing this with you, with an open mind.

"We still have the defense agreement from 1951. It offers ample opportunity for the United States to have a much stronger military presence in Greenland. If that is what you wish, then let us discuss it."

Denmark's foreign minister also pointed out that the U.S. now has less of a presence in Greenland than it did several decades ago.

"In 1945, the United States had 17 bases and military installations in Greenland, with thousands of soldiers. Today, only one American base is left. The one Vice President Vance visited a few hours ago, and something like 200 soldiers. We can do more, much more, within the framework we have today. Let us make use of that. And let us do it together," he added.

International security

Donald Trump made his latest comments about Greenland on Friday during a media event in the White House's Oval Office.

The U.S. President claimed that he needed Greenland for international security and that it had nothing to do with peace for the United States.

Trump said: "We need Greenland, very importantly for international security. We have to have Greenland. It's not a question of 'do you think we can do without it?'

"We're not talking about peace for the United States, we're talking about world peace. We're talking about international security."

Does Greenland want to become part of the U.S.?

Polls have shown that nearly all Greenlanders oppose becoming part of the United States.

Anti-American protesters, some wearing "Make America Go Away" caps and holding "Yankees Go Home" banners, have staged some of the largest demonstrations ever seen in Greenland.

On Thursday, residents in the capital Nuuk planted Greenlandic flags in the snow and a cardboard sign in English that said "Our Land. Our Future".

Political analyst and advisor Qarsoq Hoegh of Greenland's Naleraq Party described the current situation as "like a B-movie."

Hoegh told CGTN. "World leaders jumping in, surprise visits, shifting rhetoric... Greenlanders are unified in one thing: we don't want to be Danes, and we don't want to be Americans. We want to be Greenlanders." 

On the streets of Nuuk, sentiments were even more direct. "I don't want to be bought by Trump - or anyone," one resident said, referencing Trump's infamous 2019 proposal to buy Greenland. "We are not for sale. JD Vance represents a government that joked about buying us. That's not diplomacy. That's colonialism."

Another resident added: "We want to govern ourselves without interference from Denmark or the USA. Tell JD Vance: we don't want you here. Don't come back."

Just hours before Vance's arrival, Greenland's major political parties announced a landmark coalition, uniting 75 percent of the electorate. Analysts suggest the timing was a direct response to the visit, signaling growing political will to demand greater autonomy.

Hoegh remarked: "It would be naive to say the visit had no impact. But what it sparked wasn't goodwill - it was resentment. This new coalition is openly pushing for increased autonomy. The United States, Denmark, the EU - they've all played a role in our story. But Greenland wants to write the next chapter ourselves."