Denmark slams 'tone' of Vance's Greenland remark

COPENHAGEN — Denmark said on Saturday it did not like the "tone" of US Vice-President JD Vance's comment that Copenhagen had not done enough for Greenland. Vance said this during his uninvited visit to the Danish territory, which is coveted by US President Donald Trump.

"We are open to criticisms, but let me be completely honest — we do not appreciate the tone in which it's being delivered," Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on social media.

"This is not how you speak to your close allies, and I still consider Denmark and the United States to be close allies."

Vance made his comments during a trip on Friday to the Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, viewed by both Denmark and the island as a provocation.

"Our message to Denmark is very simple: You have not done a good job (for) the people of Greenland," Vance told a news conference.

"You have underinvested in the people of Greenland and you have underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass."

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also hit back at Vance in a statement, saying his remarks about Denmark were "not accurate". She added she will be visiting the island this week.

Trump argues that the United States needs the vast Arctic island for national and international security reasons and has refused to rule out the use of force to secure it.

"I never take military force off the table" in regard to acquiring Greenland, Trump told NBC News on Saturday.

In Copenhagen, hundreds of protesters voiced strong opposition on Saturday to recent remarks and actions by the US administration regarding Greenland.

Mogens Lykketoft, former foreign minister of Denmark and former president of the United Nations General Assembly, addressed the crowd in the capital.

"We must fight our case at the UN, where it is certain that an overwhelming majority of countries will join in condemning American aggression against Greenland," he said.

Agencies - Xinhua