JD Vance faces cold reception in Greenland amid U.S.-Denmark diplomatic tensions

Department of Research, Studies and International News 29-03-2025

U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, are set to arrive in Greenland on Friday for what has become a significantly reduced visit, following a diplomatic rift sparked by Donald Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring the Arctic territory. The trip, originally planned as a broader tour, has now been limited to a stop at Pituffik, a remote U.S. military base in northwestern Greenland, after strong opposition from Danish and Greenlandic officials.

The visit is being closely monitored by leaders in both Nuuk and Copenhagen, who have openly criticized the U.S.’s ongoing rhetoric regarding Greenland’s status. Trump’s recent statements reaffirming his ambition to bring Greenland under U.S. control have further strained relations, with Danish officials making it clear that they are unwilling to entertain such discussions.

Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, responded strongly to Trump’s remarks, reiterating that Greenland is an integral part of the Danish kingdom and that its status will not change. “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders,” she stated firmly. While Denmark remains committed to collaborating with the U.S. on security matters, she emphasized that any partnership must respect Greenland’s sovereignty.

Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Denmark’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, underscored Copenhagen’s disapproval of the visit by clarifying that Danish officials would not be present to welcome Vance at Pituffik. “This is about an American vice president visiting his own military base in Greenland. It has nothing to do with us,” he stated.

The diplomatic standoff comes amid heightened political activity in Greenland itself, as parties prepare to sign a coalition agreement in Nuuk following the country’s recent elections. Reports indicate that four of the five parliamentary parties will form a coalition under Jens Frederik Nielsen of the Democrats, who secured 30% of the vote.

The Vances’ trip was initially set to include visits to the Greenlandic capital, Nuuk, as well as Sisimiut, where Usha Vance was expected to attend a dog sled race. Preparations for the visit had been extensive, with bulletproof vehicles already delivered to Nuuk. However, after sharp criticism from Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte B. Egede and Danish leaders, the White House decided to limit the trip to Pituffik alone.

Vice President Vance later announced that he would personally accompany his wife to Greenland, stating in a video message that the U.S. aims to “reinvigorate the security of the people of Greenland because we think it’s important to protect the security of the entire world.” However, beyond a routine visit to U.S. troops stationed at the base, little information has been provided regarding the specifics of the trip.

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen strongly criticized Trump’s remarks about acquiring Greenland, calling them “a hidden threat” and “far out.” Speaking to Danish media, he warned that such rhetoric disregards Greenland’s right to self-determination. “It is not fair for the American president to use that rhetoric,” he stated, emphasizing that Greenland’s future is a decision for its people alone.

Greenland’s political leaders have also voiced frustration over the way the U.S. has approached the situation. Pele Broberg, leader of the Naleraq party, which finished second in the elections but withdrew from coalition talks earlier this week, expressed disappointment over what he described as failed diplomacy. “This is an extreme example of failed diplomacy by Greenlandic politicians,” he said, lamenting what he saw as a lost opportunity for more constructive engagement with the U.S.

The controversy surrounding the U.S. visit has extended beyond Greenland and Denmark, drawing attention from global powers such as Russia. Speaking at an Arctic forum in Murmansk, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that he views the U.S.’s interest in Greenland as a serious geopolitical maneuver. “We are talking about serious plans on the American side with regard to Greenland,” Putin remarked, arguing that such ambitions have deep historical roots.

The diplomatic fallout from the visit highlights the broader geopolitical significance of Greenland, which has increasingly become a point of interest for world powers due to its strategic location and vast natural resources. While the U.S. already maintains a military presence in the region through Pituffik, any efforts to exert greater influence over Greenland are likely to face strong resistance from both Copenhagen and Nuuk.

As tensions persist, the Vances’ visit may serve more as a symbolic gesture rather than a step toward actual policy changes. With both Denmark and Greenland reaffirming their sovereignty and rejecting any U.S. territorial ambitions, the visit is expected to be met with skepticism rather than enthusiasm. Whether the U.S. will continue to push for a stronger foothold in Greenland remains to be seen, but for now, the diplomatic chill between Washington and Copenhagen shows no signs of thawing.