PITUFFIK, Greenland — Continuing the Trump administration’s controversial push to acquire Greenland, US Vice President JD Vance on Friday urged the Arctic island to sever its historical ties with Denmark and instead align with the United States — a move that has sparked strong backlash from Danish and Greenlandic leaders.

During a brief stop at the remote US Pituffik Space Base in northern Greenland, Vance accused Copenhagen of under-investing in the island’s development and security.

“You have under-invested in the people of Greenland and you have under-invested in the security of this incredible, beautiful landmass,” Vance said, according to the BBC.

He claimed the US is “the only nation on Earth that will respect [Greenlanders'] sovereignty and respect their security,” though he offered no evidence to support his claims.

Accompanied by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Vance said Washington had no immediate plans to increase troop numbers on the island but would allocate more resources, including naval ships and military icebreakers.

Temperatures dropped to minus 19°C (−2.2°F), and the visit lasted only a few hours.

The remarks triggered swift condemnation. Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said Vance’s comments showed “a lack of respect for the Greenlandic people.”

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also rejected the accusations, citing increased Arctic defense spending, including long-range drones and surveillance systems.

“For many years we have stood side by side with the Americans,” Frederiksen said. “Therefore, it is not an accurate way for the vice president to refer to Denmark.”

Greenland, an autonomous territory, has governed its own domestic affairs since 2009, while Denmark maintains control over foreign policy and defense.

Public sentiment in Greenland remains strongly against any US takeover. “I’m concerned,” said one local woman named Nina. “This is kind of odd. I don’t like it.”

Qupanuk Olsen, a Greenlandic politician, warned: “We’re afraid of being colonized again. Now another colonizer is interested in us.”

President Donald Trump, speaking in Washington, defended the US interest in Greenland, calling it essential for “international security” due to increased Chinese and Russian naval activity in Arctic waterways.

“We have to have Greenland,” Trump said. “It’s not a question of: ‘Do you think we can do without it?’ We can’t.” — Agencies