The Danish international minister on Saturday scolded the Trump administration for its “tone” in criticizing Denmark and Greenland, saying his nation is already investing extra into Arctic safety and stays open to extra cooperation with the U.S.
International Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, made the remarks in a video posted to social media after U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s visit to the strategic island.
“Many accusations and plenty of allegations have been made. And naturally we’re open to criticism,” Rasmussen mentioned talking in English. “However let me be utterly trustworthy: we don’t recognize the tone during which it’s being delivered. This isn’t the way you communicate to your shut allies. And I nonetheless contemplate Denmark and america to be shut allies.”
Vance on Friday said Denmark has “underinvested” in Greenland’s security and demanded that Denmark change its method as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes to take over the Danish territory.
Vance visited U.S. troops on Pituffik House Base on mineral-rich Greenland alongside his spouse and different senior U.S. officers for a visit that was finally scaled again after an uproar amongst Greenlanders and Danes who weren’t consulted in regards to the authentic itinerary.
“Our message to Denmark could be very easy: You haven’t completed an excellent job by the folks of Greenland,” Vance mentioned Friday. “You’ve underinvested within the folks of Greenland, and you’ve got underinvested within the safety structure of this unbelievable, lovely landmass stuffed with unbelievable folks. That has to vary.”
Trump on Friday released a video on his social networking web site Reality Social entitled “America Stands With Greenland,” displaying footage of U.S. troops there throughout World Warfare II.
In Greenland, Vance mentioned the U.S. has “no choice” however to take a major place to make sure the safety of the island as he inspired a push in Greenland for independence from Denmark.
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“I believe that they finally will accomplice with america,” Vance mentioned. “We may make them way more safe. We may do much more safety. And I believe they’d fare so much higher economically as nicely.”
The response by members of Greenland’s parliament and residents has rendered that unlikely, with anger erupting over the Trump administration’s makes an attempt to annex the huge Arctic island. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen pushed again on Vance’s declare that Denmark isn’t doing sufficient for protection within the Arctic, calling her nation “an excellent and robust ally.”
And Greenlandic lawmakers on Thursday agreed to kind a brand new authorities, banding collectively to withstand Trump’s overtures. 4 of the 5 events elected to Greenland’s parliament earlier this month have agreed to kind a coalition that can have 23 of 31 seats within the legislature.
The next day, Danish King Frederik X posted on Fb: “We stay in an altered actuality. There must be little doubt that my love for Greenland and my connectedness to the folks of Greenland are intact.”
Tons of of protesters demonstrated Saturday outdoors the U.S. Embassy within the Danish capital Copenhagen with some lifting indicators saying, “again off, USA” Danish broadcaster TV2 reported.
Individuals protest towards the American strain happening towards Greenland and Denmark, in entrance of the American Embassy in Copenhagen on March 29, 2025.
NILS MEILVANG/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
Even Greenland’s nationwide dogsled race – Avannaata Qimussersu – which kicked off Saturday with some 37 mushers and 444 canines was not left unaffected.
Usha Vance, the vice chairman’s spouse, who was initially scheduled to attend the race opted out when her husband decided to join the trip and go to the navy base as a substitute, lowering the probability that they might cross paths with Greenlanders.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Second Girl Usha Vance arrive on the US navy’s Pituffik House Base in Greenland on March 28, 2025. The go to is considered by Copenhagen and Nuuk as a provocation amid President Donald Trump’s bid to annex the strategically-placed, resource-rich Danish territory.
Jim Watson / Pool / AFP by way of Getty Photographs
Løkke Rasmussen, in his video, reminded viewers of the 1951 protection settlement between Denmark and america. Since 1945, the American navy presence in Greenland has decreased from 1000’s of troopers over 17 bases and installations on the island, he mentioned, to the distant Pituffik House Base within the northwest with some 200 troopers in the present day.
The 1951 settlement “gives ample alternative for america to have a a lot stronger navy presence in Greenland,” the international minister mentioned. “If that’s what you want, then allow us to talk about it.”
Løkke Rasmussen added that Denmark has elevated its personal funding into Arctic protection. In January, Denmark introduced 14.6 billion Danish kroner (US$2.1 billion) in monetary commitments for Arctic safety protecting three new naval vessels, long-range drones and satellites.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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