Denmark strengthens ties with Greenland after VP J.D. Vance's visit
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Danish PM Mette Frederiksen is expected in Greenland for an official visit, where she will meet with the recently elected government led by center-right leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen. Frederiksen’s visit comes at a particularly delicate moment for both Danish and Greenlandic politics, especially after last week’s visit by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, accompanied by his wife Usha Vance, which sparked strong reactions from both Greenlandic citizens and the Danish government, who disapproved U.S. interference.
During a speech at the Greenlandic military base – which falls under U.S. territory – J.D. Vance accused Denmark of making Greenland vulnerable to Russian and Chinese influence and of failing to adequately protect the island. However, statements from the new Greenlandic Prime Minister Nielsen leave no room for misunderstanding: on Monday, he stated that Denmark is Greenland’s main partner and that the goal is to strengthen the relationship between the two countries, until the Greenlandic territory can achieve full independence.
Nielsen also emphasized that the government’s goal is to maintain positive relations with the United States, and that attempts to undermine the country’s national sovereignty are considered disrespectful. Despite this, the relationship between Greenland and Denmark remains complex, especially due to lingering tensions from the colonial period when Greenland was entirely under Danish rule. Meanwhile, Trump’s expansionist ambitions are focused on Greenland, a strategically key territory for control in the Arctic. This shift in U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration has further pushed the Danish government to strengthen its ties with Greenland.
During a speech at the Greenlandic military base – which falls under U.S. territory – J.D. Vance accused Denmark of making Greenland vulnerable to Russian and Chinese influence and of failing to adequately protect the island. However, statements from the new Greenlandic Prime Minister Nielsen leave no room for misunderstanding: on Monday, he stated that Denmark is Greenland’s main partner and that the goal is to strengthen the relationship between the two countries, until the Greenlandic territory can achieve full independence.
Nielsen also emphasized that the government’s goal is to maintain positive relations with the United States, and that attempts to undermine the country’s national sovereignty are considered disrespectful. Despite this, the relationship between Greenland and Denmark remains complex, especially due to lingering tensions from the colonial period when Greenland was entirely under Danish rule. Meanwhile, Trump’s expansionist ambitions are focused on Greenland, a strategically key territory for control in the Arctic. This shift in U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration has further pushed the Danish government to strengthen its ties with Greenland.