Vance Arrives In Greenland, Speaks On Territory’s Importance To U.S. Military

Vice President JD Vance arrived in Greenland on Friday, where he spoke to members of the United States military and discussed the strategic importance of the territory for America’s national security.

The vice president joined his wife, Usha, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) in Greenland for a tour of Pituffik Space Base. The American visitors were also set to attend a dogsled race and visit some of Greenland’s historical sites, but the territory’s prime minister claimed earlier this week that the visit is proof of American aggression. President Donald Trump has suggested making Greenland a part of the United States, arguing that the move would be good for both Greenlanders and Americans.

“I think a lot of Americans wonder, ‘Well, why does Greenland matter so much? Why does the mission of this base matter so much to the American people?'” Vance said. “And I learned a lot about that today myself. Of course, you can read about it in a book, but I saw it up close and personal. And if, God forbid … if a missile was from an enemy country or an enemy submarine into the United States, it is the people here before us who would give notice to our brave men and women farther south in the United States to let people know what was coming, and God willing, to try to shoot it down and prepare for it.”

.@VP: "Why does Greenland matter so much? — We know that Russia and China and other nations are taking an extraordinary interest in Arctic passageways, Arctic naval routes, and in the minerals of the Arctic territories. We need to ensure America is leading in the Arctic." pic.twitter.com/KVZeVxTbtW

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 28, 2025

“We know that Russia and China and other nations are taking an extraordinary interest in Arctic passageways, Arctic naval routes, and, indeed, in the minerals of the Arctic territories,” he added. “We need to ensure America is leading in the Arctic.”

The vice president credited President Trump for focusing on Greenland, saying that it has opened Americans’ eyes to the important role the Arctic plays in global security. Vance said that Greenlanders will maintain their “self-determination,” adding, “We hope that they choose to partner with the United States because we’re the only nation on Earth that will respect their sovereignty and respect their security because their security is very much our security.”

.@VP: "Yes, the people of Greenland are going to have self-determination. We hope that they choose to partner with the United States because we're the only nation on Earth that will respect their sovereignty and respect their security because their security is very much our… pic.twitter.com/PREoVdiGIy

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 28, 2025

Greenland Prime Minister Mute B. Egede said earlier this week that the “only purpose” of the United States delegation to Greenland “is to show a demonstration of power to us.” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also expressed concern about the visit, saying that it “cannot be seen in isolation from the public statements that have been made.”