Vance lashes out at Denmark: "It hasn't done a good job keeping Greenland safe."

BarcelonaThe Trump administration's offensive against its supposed European allies continues unabated. This Friday, US Vice President JD Vance has taken advantage of his trip to Greenland for harshly attacking Denmark, one of its historic allies. "Our message to Denmark is this: They have not done a good job, they have invested little in the people of Greenland and in the security architecture," he said from the Pituffik military base (formerly known as Thule). "This must change, and because it hasn't changed, that's why President Trump's policy in Greenland is what it is," he said.

In front of American soldiers who greeted him with shouts of "USA! USA!", he repeated the message that Donald Trump has been preaching for weeks: "We have no other choice: we have to gain a significant foothold (in Greenland) to keep its people and our country safe." Vance stated that he does not believe military force will be necessary to seize control of the Arctic island – although he has not ruled it out. Greenland so that the United States does not have to deal with Copenhagen. "What we think will happen is that the Greenlanders will choose, through self-determination, to secede from Denmark, and then we will talk directly to the people of Greenland." The United States must ensure that it leads in this area. Vance also criticized Copenhagen for responding negatively to Trump's expansionist interests: "There has been a lot of criticism from Denmark for stating the obvious, which is that a good job has not been done to protect Greenland."

The vice president arrived at the Pituffik base this Friday accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance; National Security Advisor Michael Waltz; Energy Secretary Chris Wright; and Republican Senator Mike Lee, one of the proponents of annexing the Arctic island. "It's freezing cold in here!" was practically the first thing Vance said upon arriving at the military base, before eating with soldiers and other workers.

The initial plan was for the trip to be led by the vice president's wife, Usha Vance, to attend a sled dog race and visit historical and cultural sites on the island. But following the discontent expressed by Greenlanders and Danes, Washington changed plans, and the vice president announced that he would also attend, but that the visit would be limited to the Pituffik base, which the United States has owned since the 1950s.

This facility, located on the west coast of Greenland, about 1,600 kilometers from the capital, is the northernmost US base in the world. The nearest population is more than 100 kilometers away. The base was initially designed to detect potential missile attacks from the Soviet Union and respond quickly. It now remains vital to the US ballistic missile warning system, which is why Vance has referred to its workers as the US "guardians" in the Arctic. Their mission is to monitor space, warn of potential missile attacks, and monitor US defense satellites.

This is Vance's second trip since taking office. The first was also in Europe. to attend the Munich Security Conference, where he surprised the European allies by booing them.

New government in Greenland

Vance's trip coincided with the announcement of a four-party agreement. to form the new autonomous government of GreenlandThe coalition will be led by the liberal Demokraatit party, which won the elections two weeks ago, and will also include the socialist Inuit Ataqatigiit, the liberal Atassut, and the social democratic Siumut. Only one party with representation in Parliament remains excluded: Naleraq, which advocates a fast track to independence and, although it rejects annexation, is the party most open to strengthening ties with Washington.

The government will be led by Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who has urged the parties to put aside their disagreements to show unity in one of the most delicate political moments in Greenland's history. "At a time when we as a people are under pressure, we must be united," he said at a press conference. The four parties in the coalition account for 23 of the 31 total seats.

Greenland's current Prime Minister, Múte B. Egede, will be responsible for Foreign Affairs, a crucial position in the coming years. Egede has been one of the most vocal voices against Trump's intentions in Greenland.