Denmark criticizes US vice president's 'tone' on Greenland

Denmark rebuked US Vice President JD Vance on Saturday after he criticized Denmark's governance of Greenland as he visited the Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland.

Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen took to X (in the wee hours to express reservations about the “tone” of the criticism.

“We are open to criticism, but let me be completely honest, we do not appreciate the tone in which it's being delivered. This is not how you speak to close allies, and I still consider Denmark and the United States to be close allies,” he said.

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also dismissed Vance's remarks, emphasizing Denmark's long-standing support for the US. “For many years, we have stood by the Americans in very difficult situations,” she said, referencing the country's military contributions in Iraq and Afghanistan. “The vice president's reference to Denmark is not accurate.”

Vance made the controversial statement Friday when he accused Denmark of neglecting Greenland. “Our message to Denmark is very simple: you have not done a good job by the people of Greenland,” he said at a news conference. “You have underinvested in the people of Greenland and in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass.”

“I think Greenland understands that the United States should own it,” Vance said. “And if Denmark and the EU don't understand it, we have to explain it to them. We need Greenland. Very importantly, for international security, we have to have Greenland.”