US Vice President JD Vance landed in Greenland on Friday amid fresh pressure from President Donald Trump to annex the semi-autonomous Danish territory. His visit, focused on the US military base at Pituffik, was just hours after Greenland’s new government coalition restated its allegiance to continuing ties with Denmark.
Greenland’s new prime minister criticized the timing of the visit as a “lack of respect” and called for unity to resist “external pressure.” Danish King Frederik also stood with Greenland, saying, “There should be no doubt that my love for Greenland and my connectedness to its people remain intact.
The American delegation comprised Vance’s wife, Usha, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. The original plans were for Usha Vance and Waltz to visit a local dog-sled race, but mass protests and official opposition from Greenland and Denmark compelled the delegation to restrict their visit to the military base.
The Pituffik base, which is essential to the US ballistic missile warning system, is operated under a 1951 deal that grants American military access upon advance notice to Greenland and Denmark. Trump, who has made repeated calls for US ownership of Greenland, reiterated his position on Wednesday. “We need Greenland, and the world needs us to have Greenland, including Denmark,” he said.
Greenland, situated strategically between Europe and North America, is endowed with mineral, oil, and gas reserves but has developed slowly. Although the island contains vast deposits of rare earth minerals critical to future US economic development, its mining sector is still controlled by Australian, Canadian, and British firms.
