JD Vance's hardline speech from Greenland: Predicts the island’s independence and criticizes Denmark

JD Vance arrived in Greenland this Friday. After days of speculation about his trip, the vice president’s plane landed at Thule Air Base, the U.S. military enclave on the island. During his speech, Vance ruled out military action to take control of the island, criticized Denmark, and stated that discussions with the "people" of Greenland about their future were forthcoming.

Vance was accompanied by a sizable delegation, including his wife Usha, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. According to journalists traveling with them, they landed at Pituffik Space Base around midday.

The base, located on the territory's northwest coast, is critical for missile defense, missile alerts, and space surveillance.

“We will have conversations with the people of Greenland”

In his speech, the vice president stated that the Trump administration respects Greenland’s sovereignty and will wait to see how its situation with Denmark unfolds before moving forward with discussions.

"We do not think military force is ever going to be necessary. What we think is going to happen is that the Greenlanders are going to choose, through self determination, to become independent of Denmark, and then we’re going to have conversations with the people of Greenland from there," Vance stated.

At the same time, the vice president criticized the Danish government, currently led by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. "Our message to Denmark is very simple. You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland, you have underinvested in the people of Greenland, and you have underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass filled with incredible people. That has to change," he added.

For her part, Frederiksen condemned the former Ohio senator’s visit, calling it an act of "unacceptable pressure" from the United States.

Trump’s video dedicated to Greenland

In line with Vance’s visit to the island, President Donald Trump posted a video on his X account, highlighting U.S. military efforts to defend Greenland in the 20th century.

"“In the cold silence of the tundra, a bond was born not from treaties or trade, but from blood and bravery. While Germany controlled Europe, the Nazis set their sights on the Arctic. Greenland became an unwitting combatant, and the United States stepped in, not to conquer but to protect," the video’s narrator declares. The video was produced by Securing American Greatness, a nonprofit organization classified as a 501(c)(4).

"Our shared legacy lives on in every joint mission, every Arctic patrol, every partnership forged in the shadow of melting ice and rising tensions, this is not just history,” the narrator says. “It is destiny. Now is the time to stand together again, for peace, for security, for the future. America stands with Greenland,’" the narrator adds.

The importance of Greenland

Greenland is a vast island, 80% of which is covered in ice. It has significant hydrocarbon and mineral resources essential for the energy transition.

This enormous territory, home to 57,000 people—nearly 90% of whom are Inuit—has autonomy within Denmark, which retains control over diplomacy, defense, and monetary policy while providing an annual subsidy that accounts for 20% of Greenland’s GDP.

The majority of the population and all political parties advocate for independence, though they differ on the timeline for achieving it.

According to a poll published in February, nearly the entire population rejects the idea of becoming part of the United States. The island is currently awaiting the formation of a new government following the March 11 legislative elections, which resulted in a victory for the center-right opposition.