That the American vice president would pay tribute to his own troops and give a boot to Denmark during his visit to Pituffik Space Base came as no surprise. Nor would he say that the United States needs Greenland for its national security. The tone, on the other hand, was milder to the Greenlanders than before.
Vance said several times that the United States respects the Greenlanders’ right to self -determination, he denied that they somehow behaved buff and announced that the United States is considering taking military means to gain control of Greenland.
“Denmark has not done his job”
Several times during the speech and at the time of questioning he returned to Denmark not doing his job and that Greenland was much more uncertain now, because Denmark did not invest enough in the defense of Greenland. Therefore, he hoped that Greenland, in the event of independence, will choose the US security umbrella. That was his message.
At the same time, experts believe that the criticism that Denmark has not invested in Arctic security falls flat as it is largely the United States that already accounts for a large part of the safety of Greenland. That it is those who have been equipped on the island and have not invested in the Arctic for the past 30 years.
Continued hard rhetoric from Trump
Almost at the same time as the Vice President’s press conference was ongoing, President Trump held a Hito in Washington, DC Trump repeated that “we must have Greenland, for world peace”.
Thus, the same harsh rhetoric he has had on the issue since 2019 when he said for the first time that the United States wants to “buy Greenland”. It was like the president and the Vice President played “Good Cop, Bad Cop” where Vice President Vance mitigated the tone somewhat.
The beginning of a charm offensive
The fact that the Greenlanders do not appreciate an offensive courting from the United States is clear. Maybe that signal had progressed. Now, the Vice President focused on encouraging the Greenlanders to choose independence while criticizing the old colonial power Denmark. It probably stings to Danish politicians who maintain that the United States is their main allies.
At the same time, it is often the case that what frightens in Denmark and Greenland goes home in the cabins of the American voter base as foreign policy can often be as much domestic policy.