US Vice President JD Vance’s recent visit to Greenland has reignited tensions over America’s ambitions for the Arctic territory. While Vance softened President Donald Trump’s outright call for annexation, his visit carried an unmistakable message: Greenland must rethink its alliances, particularly in the face of a rising China.
Speaking at the Pituffik military base, Vance framed his argument in stark terms. He portrayed Greenland as a strategically vital landmass in the global power struggle between the United States, China, and Russia. According to him, the Arctic’s shifting geopolitical landscape necessitates Greenland’s realignment with America rather than remaining under what he described as the “weak” governance of Denmark.
Vance’s rhetoric, though less aggressive than Trump’s, still rang alarm bells. The Danish government, through Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, dismissed the approach as “not justifiable,” reaffirming Denmark’s commitment to Greenland’s autonomy. Meanwhile, in the capital, Nuuk, a different narrative was unfolding. Greenlanders were celebrating the formation of a new coalition government, a crucial step towards their long-term goal of independence from Denmark. The festivities were a reminder of the Inuit culture’s deep-rooted values of cooperation and self-determination values that seem at odds with the United States’ heavy-handed approach.
While Washington insists that it respects Greenland’s sovereignty, skepticism lingers. A recent poll indicates that only 6% of Greenland’s population supports becoming part of the US. The majority of Greenlanders are wary of external influence, recognizing the need to develop their economy before pursuing independence. Their concern is that a powerful country like the US, despite its pledges of partnership, might exploit their mineral-rich land for its own strategic gains.
America’s impatience in securing control over Greenland is baffling. Existing treaties with Denmark already allow for an increased US military presence. Yet, the Trump administration’s aggressive stance risks alienating Greenlanders rather than winning them over. If Washington truly seeks a long-term partnership, a more respectful, patient diplomatic approach would be far more effective. For now, many in Nuuk feel like they are being bullied an approach that could backfire on America’s Arctic ambitions.
