COPENHAGEN — Denmark strongly criticized US Vice President JD Vance on Saturday following his controversial comments accusing Copenhagen of neglecting Greenland during a visit to the US Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen responded swiftly, posting on X to express his displeasure with both the content and tone of Vance’s remarks.

“We are open to criticism, but let me be completely honest: we do not appreciate the tone in which it’s being delivered. This is not how you speak to close allies, and I still consider Denmark and the United States to be close allies,” Rasmussen wrote.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also rejected Vance’s comments, emphasizing Denmark’s consistent alignment with Washington.

“For many years, we have stood by the Americans in very difficult situations,” she said, citing Denmark’s military roles in Iraq and Afghanistan. “The vice president’s reference to Denmark is not accurate.”

Vance made the comments during a Friday news conference at the base, accusing Denmark of underinvestment and mismanagement in Greenland.

“You have underinvested in the people of Greenland and in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass,” he said. “I think Greenland understands that the United States should own it.”

Vance framed Greenland’s strategic location as critical to international security. “If Denmark and the EU don’t understand it, we have to explain it to them. We need Greenland,” he added.

The remarks have triggered diplomatic tensions, especially in light of Greenland’s status as an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Public opinion in Greenland remains strongly opposed to any form of US acquisition.

The comments echo a similar attempt in 2019 by President Donald Trump to purchase Greenland—an idea flatly rejected by Denmark at the time. — Agencies