Vice President JD Vance’s recent trip to Greenland on March 28, 2025, underscored the United States’ ongoing commitment to asserting its strategic interests in the Arctic region. Accompanied by his wife Usha, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Vance visited the Pituffik Space Base, a key U.S. military installation in northwest Greenland. The visit, initially met with resistance from Greenlandic and Danish leaders due to its perceived aggressive undertones, was scaled back from a broader cultural tour to a focused inspection of the base. During his remarks, Vance emphasized the importance of Greenland’s security, criticizing Denmark for what he described as inadequate investment in the territory’s defense. He positioned the U.S. as a preferable security partner, suggesting that Greenland would benefit more under American protection than under Danish oversight, while still pledging respect for its self-determination.
 

The United States views Greenland as a critical geopolitical asset, not only for its rich mineral resources but also for its strategic location between North America and Europe, a position increasingly contested by imperial powers like Russia and China. Vance highlighted concerns over these nations’ incursions, pointing to their use of Greenland’s waterways as a potential threat to the U.S., Canada, and Greenland itself. The Pituffik Space Base, with its early-warning radar systems and space surveillance capabilities, serves as a linchpin in America’s Arctic defense strategy. While Vance stated there are no immediate plans to expand the U.S. military presence on the ground, he signaled an intent to bolster resources, such as additional naval ships, to counter these external pressures. This approach aligns with President Trump’s repeated assertions that Greenland is vital to U.S. national security, a stance that has fueled tensions with Denmark and Greenland’s leadership, who staunchly oppose any notion of American annexation.
 

Moving forward, the U.S. appears poised to deepen its protective role over Greenland through a combination of military reinforcement and diplomatic engagement, despite local resistance. Vance’s visit, though controversial, reinforced America’s narrative of safeguarding the island from imperial ambitions, particularly those of Russia and China, which have shown growing interest in the Arctic’s resources and shipping routes. The U.S. will likely continue leveraging its existing defense agreement with Denmark to maintain a foothold, while pushing for greater cooperation with Greenland’s people—albeit on terms favorable to American interests. This strategy aims to deter external threats without resorting to outright force, though Trump’s rhetoric about “getting” Greenland “one way or the other” keeps the specter of coercion alive. As Arctic competition intensifies, the U.S. seems determined to position itself as Greenland’s primary guardian, balancing strategic imperatives with the delicate task of respecting the island’s autonomy.