The Danish Foreign Minister scolded the Trump administration on Saturday for his “tone” criticizing Denmark and Greenland during Visit Vice-President JD Vance on the strategic island.
Vance – joined by his wife, second Lady Usha Vance, the national security advisor Mike Waltz, the energy secretary Chris Wright and Senator Mike Lee of Utah – visited the Pitoffick space base on Friday, the most northern American military installation in Greenland. The trip had been reduced after a tumult among the Greenlanders and the Danges which were not consulted on the original route. During his stay, the vice-president castigated Denmark for its management of the island, saying that the American base in Greenland is less safe than it was decades ago due to the management of Denmark.
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“There is no bullying amount, no obscure, no amount of confusion of the problem,” said Vance. “Our message to Denmark is very simple: you have not done a good job by the inhabitants of Greenland, you have underestimated to the inhabitants of Greenland, and you have under invited to the security architecture of this incredible and beautiful terrestrial mass filled with incredible people. It must change. And because it has not changed, that is why the policy of President Trump is what it is.”
Mr. Trump watched the Semi-autonomous Danish territory Despite the opposition of residents and leaders.
The president said NBC News in an interview on Saturday that “we will get Greenland”, saying that there is “a good possibility that we can do it without military force”, while adding that “I do not remove anything from the table”.
Earlier on Saturday, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lars Løkke Rasmussen published a video on social networks scolding the Trump administration, saying that his country is already investing more in the security of the Arctic and remains open to more cooperation with the United States
“Many accusations and many allegations have been made. And of course, we are open to criticism,” said Rasmussen talking in English. “But let me be completely honest: we do not like the tone in which it is delivered. This is not how you speak to your nearby allies. And I still consider Denmark and the United States as close allies.”
Jim Watson / AP
The Danish Prime Minister puts Frederiksen also rejected Vance’s claim that Denmark does not do enough for defense in the Arctic, calling his country “a good and strong ally”.
Vivian Motzfeldt, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greenland, told CBS News that it wanted cooperation with the United States, not domination.
“You just don’t take over. You speak and talk. This is all politics,” she said.
The Danish king Frederik X posted on Facebook: “We live in a modified reality. He should not be doubt that my love for Greenland and my connectivity with the inhabitants of Greenland are intact.”
Hundreds of demonstrators demonstrated on Saturday outside the United States Embassy in the Danish capital Copenhagen with lifting panels saying: “Back off, USA” Danish TV2 broadcaster reported.
Thomas Traasdahl / AP
Løkke Rasmussen, in his video, reminded viewers the 1951 Defense Agreement between Denmark and the United States. Since 1945, the American military presence in Greenland has gone from thousands of soldiers of more than 17 bases and installations on the island, he said, at the spatial base from Pituffik to the northwest with some 200 soldiers today.
The 1951 agreement “offers many opportunities to have a much stronger military presence in Greenland,” said the Minister of Foreign Affairs. “If that’s what you want, then discuss it.”
Løkke Rasmussen added that Denmark has increased its own investment in Arctic Defense. In January, Denmark announced 14.6 billion Danish Kroner (2.1 billion US dollars) of financial commitments for Arctic safety covering three new naval ships, long -range drones and satellites.
The second lady was originally to visit Greenland during an extended cultural trip this week, then the vice-president announcement On Tuesday that he would join her for a shorter trip that was more focused on American policy and defense.
A recent survey shows that 85% of Greenlanders do not want to be part of the United States.
