Vance accuses Denmark of 'underinvesting' in Greenland as Trump presses for US takeover of island

NUUK, Greenland -- U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on Friday that Denmark has "underinvested" in Greenland's security and demanded that Denmark change its approach as President Donald Trump continues to talk of taking over the Danish territory.

The pointed remarks came as Vance visited U.S. troops on Pituffik Space Base on the mineral rich, strategically critical island.

"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."

Vance said the U.S. has "no option" but to take a significant position to ensure the security of Greenland as he encouraged a push in Greenland for independence from Denmark.

"I think that they ultimately will partner with the United States," Vance said. "We could make them much more secure. We could do a lot more protection. And I think they'd fare a lot better economically as well."

Vance was joined by his wife and other senior U.S. officials visited an American military base in Greenland on Friday in a trip that was scaled back after an uproar among Greenlanders and Danes who were irked that the original itinerary was planned without consulting them.

Soon after arriving, Vance briefly addressed U.S. troops stationed at the base as he and his wife sat down to lunch with them, saying that the Republican administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is very interested in "Arctic security." He and his entourage, including national security adviser Mike Waltz, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, then received briefings from military officials.

"As you all know, it's a big issue and it's only going to get bigger over the coming decades," Vance said at the start of his lunch with troops, noting that he was the first U.S. vice president to visit Greenland.

The revised trip to the semi-autonomous Danish territory comes as relations between the U.S. and the Nordic country have soured after Trump repeatedly suggested that the United States should in some form control the mineral-rich territory of Denmark - a traditional U.S. ally and NATO member.

In Washington, Trump said the U.S. "needs Greenland for international security."

Trump, speaking to reporters soon after Vance's arrival at the military base, alluded to the rising Chinese and Russian interest in the Arctic, where sea lanes have opened up because of climate change.

"Greenland's very important for the peace of the world," Trump said. "And I think Denmark understands, and I think the European Union understands it. And if they don't, we're going to have to explain it to them."

Friday's one-day visit to the U.S. Space Force outpost at Pituffik, on the northwest coast of Greenland, removed the risk of potentially violating diplomatic custom by sending a delegation to another country without an official invitation. It will also reduce the likelihood that Vance and his wife will cross paths with residents angered by Trump's announcements.

It was minus-3 degrees F (minus-19 degrees C) when the delegation landed to sunny skies at the remote base 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) north of the Arctic Circle. "It's cold as s-- here. Nobody told me," Vance said, prompting laughs.

Ahead of Vance's arrival, four of the five parties elected to Greenland's parliament earlier this month signed an agreement to form a new, broad-based coalition government. The parties banded together in the face of Trump's designs on the territory.

"It is a time when we as a population are under pressure," the prime minister-designate, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said before the accord was signed to applause and cheers in the capital, Nuuk.

He added that "we must stick together. Together we are strongest," Greenland broadcaster KNR reported.

In a post on Instagram, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen congratulated Nielsen and his incoming government, and said that "I look forward to close cooperation in an unnecessarily conflict-filled time."

Frederiksen said on Tuesday that the U.S. visit, which was originally set for three days, created "unacceptable pressure." She has said that Denmark wants to work with the U.S. on defense and security, but Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders.

Initially, his wife, Usha Vance, had announced a solo trip to the Avannaata Qimussersu dogsled race in Sisimiut. Her husband then subsequently said he would join her on that trip, only to change that itinerary again - after protests from Greenland and Denmark - to a one-day visit of the couple to the military post only.

Inhabitants of Nuuk, which is about 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) south of Pituffik, voiced concern about Vance's visit and the U.S. interest in their island.

Cora Hy, 22, said Vance was "welcome if he wants to see it but of course Greenland is not for sale." She added that "it's not normal around here" with all the attention Greenland is getting. "I feel now every day is about (Trump) and I just want to get away from it."

"It's all a bit crazy. Of course the population here is a bit shook up," said 30-year-old Inuk Kristensen. "My opinion is the same as everyone's: Of course you don't do things this way. You don't just come here and say that you want to buy the place."

As the nautical gateway to the Arctic and North Atlantic approaches to North America, Greenland has broader strategic value as both China and Russia seek access to its waterways and natural resources.

During his first term, Trump floated the idea of purchasing the world's largest island, even as Denmark insisted it wasn't for sale. The people of Greenland also have firmly rejected Trump's plans.

Vance has several times criticized long-standing European allies for relying on military support from the United States, openly antagonizing partners in ways that have generated concerns about the reliability of the U.S.

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Grieshaber reported from Berlin and Madhani from Washington. Associated Press writers Geir Moulson in Berlin and Vanessa Gera in Warsaw, Poland, contributed to this report.