Danish foreign minister responds to U.S. vice president on Greenland
Image: News Oresund.
Monday, March 31, 2025
In a video post on X yesterday, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen responded to recent speeches by United States Vice President J.D. Vance, who has been visiting the Danish territory Greenland.
"Of course, we are open to criticism, but let me be completely honest," said Rasmussen, "we do not appreciate the tone in which it's being delivered."
Vice President Vance had said, "We hope that [the people of Greenland] choose to partner with the United States because we're the only nation on Earth that will respect their sovereignty and respect their security — because their security is very much our security" and accused Denmark of being negligent with respect to the island's safety.
Currently, relations between the U.S. and Greenland are covered by NATO's Article 5 collective defense clause and by a 1951 agreement which, Rasumussen says, does allow for "greater military presence" on the island.
Over the past several years, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to bring Greenland under U.S. control, citing the Russian and Chinese ships that use nearby waterways.
According to ABC, the idea of Greenland becoming a U.S. territory has been unpopular with leaders in both Greenland and Denmark. About 6% of Greenlanders are in favor of joining the U.S., according to a poll by Verian.
Sources
[edit]- Kalika Mehta. "Greenland: Danish minister pushes back at JD Vance's 'tone'" — DW, March 29, 2025
- David Brennan. "Denmark doesn't 'appreciate the tone' of US Greenland remarks, minister says" — ABC, March 28, 2025