United States Vice President JD Vance does not like the European Union, considers its members to be freeloaders, and specific ones, like Denmark, as "bad allies" for not wanting to sell part of their territory to meet the expansionist demands of Donald Trump, and as "negligent" whose "inaction has given our adversaries the opportunity to advance their own priorities in the Arctic."
He says this in person, as happened in Munich a few weeks ago. He constantly says it in interviews, like last Sunday on Fox News, stating that his government "will do what it has to do regardless of what the Europeans shout at us (...) If that means we need to take more territorial interest in Greenland, that's what the president will do," he warned. But he also says it in private, as was revealed this Monday with the Signalgate scandal, when the director of The Atlantic published the content of a messaging app group where Vance ranted about having to "come to Europe's rescue again," talking about a bombing in Yemen.
Vance has also become one of the most vocal and powerful vice presidents in recent history, by far the most since Walter Mondale, Jimmy Carter's vice president. He has also become the spearhead to provoke those who were allies until now. This is what he did at the Munich Security Conference when he attacked Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, leading to an unprecedented diplomatic dispute in modern history. And this is what he wants to do with Greenland now, with an unexpected trip next Friday. First, he sent his wife, Usha Vance, in a sort of self-invitation that local authorities managed as best they could, but not without showing their irritation at the manner. Now he has decided to go in person, just like Donald Trump's children did a few weeks ago. Increasing the pressure and uncertainty among the population and in Copenhagen.
"On Friday, Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance will travel to Thule Air Base in Greenland to receive information on Arctic security issues and meet with US military personnel," the White House announced on Tuesday. Thule Air Base is the northernmost installation of the Department of Defense and supports missile warning missions, missile defense, and space surveillance.
"The strategic alliance between the United States and Greenland has long played a vital role in our national and economic security. During World War II, the United States established more than a dozen military bases in Greenland to defend the North Atlantic from Nazi incursions. During the Cold War, the United States allocated additional resources to Greenland to defend against Soviet missile attacks. In the decades since then, the negligence and inaction of Danish leaders and previous US administrations have given our adversaries the opportunity to advance their own priorities in Greenland and the Arctic. President Trump is rightly changing course," the statement adds in a disrespectful and aggressive tone.
The Vice President's visit thus becomes a problem, a diplomatic challenge, a provocation, and added pressure as Washington flirts time and again with the idea of annexing, forcibly or not, the territory. Trump tried to buy it from Denmark during his first term, but now he does not seem willing to accept a refusal.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen had criticized the US Administration this morning for exerting what she calls "unacceptable pressure" on Greenland, criticizing the announced visit of the US Second Lady, saying it was not appropriate as the territory is without a government after the recent elections. And stating the obvious: "A private visit cannot be made with official representatives from another country," especially without an invitation. "Clearly, this is not a visit focused on the needs or desires of Greenland," Frederiksen said about the scheduled trip of the Vice President's wife along with National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
"The pressure on Greenland and Denmark in this situation is unacceptable. And it is pressure we will oppose," added the Danish Prime Minister. Outgoing Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede described the plans of the US delegation to visit a US military base and attend a dog sled race as a "provocation," stating that his interim government would not meet with the delegation.
Washington's response has been to include Vance in the trip. In an inappropriate video, he says that after seeing how much fun his wife was going to have, he doesn't want to miss out and also wants to see "what's going on with security" in Greenland, mentioning that other countries are threatening the territory and US security, and that he wants to "strengthen the security of the people of Greenland," lamenting that "leaders from there and from the US have ignored" what has been happening for "too long."
"This interference violates our democratic principles and shows a lack of respect for our self-determination," outgoing Prime Minister Egede told local station KNR, adding that Greenland's allies should be more assertive in their statements. "We have not yet seen any of our allies speak clearly. And we need our friends among nations. That is why they must express themselves more clearly; there is no other option. Vague statements must stop (...) What is the National Security Advisor doing in Greenland? The sole purpose is to demonstrate power over us. His mere presence in Greenland will undoubtedly increase American confidence in Trump's mission, and the pressure will increase," he reproached.
"These are not just any tourists. And it is perceived as a signal. It is a seduction strategy to attract Greenland to the United States," lamented Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, saying that the visit was "problematic" and showed "a lack of respect." Two US military transport planes Hercules arrived in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, late on Sunday, carrying security personnel and armored vehicles, as reported by the Greenlandic digital media Sermitsiaq. About 60 Danish police officers also arrived in Nuuk on Sunday, according to Reuters.