March 28, 2025 – President Donald Trump doubled down on his long-standing ambition to bring Greenland under U.S. control during a press briefing today, framing the move as a critical step toward achieving “world peace” and bolstering international security. The remarks coincided with a high-profile visit to the Arctic territory by Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance, who arrived Friday to tour a key U.S. military installation amid growing tensions with Denmark and Greenlandic leadership.
Trump’s comments underscore a persistent theme of his second administration: securing Greenland, a resource-rich island governed by Denmark, as a strategic asset for the United States. Speaking to reporters from the White House, the president pointed to the increasing presence of Russian and Chinese ships in Arctic waterways as a pressing concern. “If you look at Greenland right now, you’ve got Chinese and Russian ships all over the place,” Trump said. “We’re not going to rely on Denmark or anybody else to handle that situation. This isn’t just about peace for the United States—it’s about world peace, international security.”
The president’s rhetoric comes as Vance, accompanied by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Utah Senator Mike Lee, landed in Greenland to visit Pituffik Space Base, the northernmost military installation operated by the U.S. Department of Defense. The base, home to the Space Force’s 821st Space Base Group, plays a vital role in missile warning, defense, and space surveillance operations. The delegation’s itinerary, which shifted from earlier plans to include cultural engagements, now focuses squarely on reinforcing U.S. military ties to the region.
Trump’s fixation on Greenland dates back to his first term, when he floated the idea of purchasing the island in 2019, calling it a “large real estate deal” with strategic value. That proposal was swiftly rebuffed by Danish and Greenlandic officials, who have consistently maintained that the territory is not for sale. Today, Greenland’s leadership remains steadfast in its pursuit of independence from Copenhagen, not Washington, even as Trump ramps up pressure with claims of global security imperatives.
The timing of Vance’s visit has drawn sharp criticism from Greenlandic and Danish authorities. Greenland’s outgoing Prime Minister, Mute Egede, has called the U.S. delegation’s presence a “provocation,” accusing the Trump administration of exerting “aggressive pressure” on the island’s autonomy. Denmark’s Foreign Minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, echoed these sentiments earlier this week, describing the visit as “problematic” and a sign of disrespect during a sensitive period of coalition talks following Greenland’s recent parliamentary elections.
Despite the backlash, the Trump administration has sought to justify its focus on Greenland by highlighting Denmark’s historical treatment of the territory’s indigenous population. A senior White House official noted that Copenhagen has faced accusations of neglecting Greenlandic infrastructure and mistreating its people, pointing to a 2024 lawsuit filed by indigenous women who alleged they were forcibly fitted with intrauterine devices by Danish health officials decades ago. “Danish leaders have spent years treating Greenlanders like second-class citizens,” the official said, suggesting Vance would emphasize these points during his visit.
Greenland’s strategic appeal is undeniable. The island boasts vast reserves of natural resources, including oil, natural gas, and rare earth minerals critical for technology and energy production. Its location in the Arctic also positions it as a key player in emerging trade routes and military operations, particularly as climate change opens new pathways in the region. Both Russia and China have increased their activities in the Arctic in recent years, heightening U.S. concerns about maintaining dominance in the far north.
Vance’s visit to Pituffik Space Base underscores this military dimension. The base, established during World War II and expanded during the Cold War, remains a linchpin in America’s Arctic security architecture. Speaking to service members stationed there, Vance praised their sacrifices and reiterated the administration’s commitment to the region. “The Trump administration is serious about Arctic security,” he said. “We hope the people of Greenland choose to partner with us because we’re the only nation that will respect their sovereignty while ensuring their safety.”
Yet, the prospect of U.S. control remains deeply unpopular in Greenland. Recent polls show that while nearly 80% of Greenlanders support independence from Denmark, an even larger majority rejects the idea of joining the United States. The center-right Demokraatit party, which won the territory’s March elections on a platform of gradual independence, has called for unity in resisting external influence. Party leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen condemned the timing of Vance’s visit, arguing it risks dragging Greenland into a geopolitical “power game” it did not choose.
Trump, undeterred, framed the visit as a gesture of goodwill rather than aggression. “This is friendliness, not provocation,” he insisted, claiming that Greenlanders themselves have reached out for U.S. support. “They’re calling us—we’re not calling them,” he added, though he declined to specify who had extended the invitation.
As the Vances and their delegation wrap up their trip, the controversy shows no signs of abating. For Greenland, caught between Denmark’s colonial legacy and Trump’s expansionist vision, the path forward remains fraught with uncertainty. Whether the island’s leaders can fend off U.S. ambitions while pursuing their own independence goals will likely define the next chapter in this Arctic standoff. For now, Trump’s bold rhetoric and Vance’s boots on the ground signal that the United States has no intention of backing down.
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