NUUK, Greenland (AP) 鈥 The Danish foreign minister on Saturday scolded the Trump administration for its 鈥渢one鈥 in criticizing Denmark and Greenland, saying his country is already investing more into Arctic security and remains open to more cooperation with the U.S.
Foreign Minister Lars L酶kke Rasmussen made the remarks in a video posted to social media after to . Later Saturday, though, U.S. President Donald Trump maintained an aggressive tone, telling NBC News that 鈥淚 never take military force off the table" in regards to acquiring Greenland.
鈥淢any accusations and many allegations have been made. And of course we are open to criticism,鈥 Rasmussen said speaking in English. 鈥淏ut let me be completely honest: we do not appreciate the tone in which it is being delivered. This is not how you speak to your close allies. And I still consider Denmark and the United States to be close allies.鈥
Greenland is a territory of Denmark, which is a NATO ally of the United States. Trump wants to annex the territory, claiming it鈥檚 needed for national security purposes.
In Saturday's interview, Trump allowed that 鈥淚 think there鈥檚 a good possibility that we could do it without military force.鈥
鈥淭his is world peace, this is international security,鈥 he said, but added: "I don鈥檛 take anything off the table.鈥
Trump also said 鈥淚 don鈥檛 care鈥 when asked in the NBC interview what message it would send to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is trying to solidify his hold on Ukrainian territory three years after his invasion.
Vance on Friday said Denmark has 鈥渦nderinvested鈥 in Greenland鈥檚 security and demanded that Denmark change its approach as Trump pushes to .
Vance on mineral-rich Greenland alongside his wife and other senior U.S. officials for a trip that was ultimately scaled back after who were not consulted about the original itinerary.
鈥淥ur message to Denmark is very simple: You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland,鈥 Vance said Friday. 鈥淵ou have underinvested in the people of Greenland, and you have underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass filled with incredible people. That has to change.鈥
Trump on Friday released a video on his social networking site Truth Social entitled 鈥淎merica Stands With Greenland,鈥 showing footage of U.S. troops there during World War II.
In Greenland, Vance said the U.S. has 鈥渘o option鈥 but to take a significant position to ensure the security of the island as he encouraged a push in Greenland for independence from Denmark.
鈥淚 think that they ultimately will partner with the United States,鈥 Vance said. 鈥淲e could make them much more secure. We could do a lot more protection. And I think they鈥檇 fare a lot better economically as well.鈥
The reaction by members of Greenland鈥檚 parliament and residents has rendered that unlikely, with anger erupting over the Trump administration鈥檚 attempts to annex the vast Arctic island. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen pushed back on Vance鈥檚 claim that Denmark isn鈥檛 doing enough for defense in the Arctic, calling her country 鈥渁 good and strong ally.鈥
And Greenlandic lawmakers on Thursday , banding together to resist Trump's overtures. Four of the five parties elected to Greenland鈥檚 parliament earlier this month have agreed to form a coalition that will have 23 of 31 seats in the legislature.
The following day, Danish King Frederik X posted on Facebook: 鈥淲e live in an altered reality. There should be no doubt that my love for Greenland and my connectedness to the people of Greenland are intact.鈥
Hundreds of protesters demonstrated Saturday outside the U.S. Embassy in the Danish capital Copenhagen with some lifting signs saying, 鈥渂ack off, USA鈥
Even Greenland's national dogsled race - Avannaata Qimussersu - which kicked off Saturday with some 37 mushers and 444 dogs was not left unaffected. Usha Vance, the vice president's wife, who was originally scheduled to attend the race opted out when her husband decided to join the trip and visit the military base instead, reducing the likelihood that they would cross paths with Greenlanders.
L酶kke Rasmussen, in his video, reminded viewers of the 1951 defense agreement between Denmark and the United States. Since 1945, the American military presence in Greenland has decreased from thousands of soldiers over 17 bases and installations on the island, he said, to the remote Pituffik Space Base in the northwest with some 200 soldiers today.
The 1951 agreement "offers ample opportunity for the United States to have a much stronger military presence in Greenland,鈥 the foreign minister said. 鈥淚f that is what you wish, then let us discuss it.鈥
L酶kke Rasmussen added that Denmark has increased its own investment into Arctic defense. In January, Denmark announced 14.6 billion Danish kroner (US$2.1 billion) in financial commitments for Arctic security covering three new naval vessels, long-range drones and satellites.
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Grieshaber reported from Berlin and Madhani from Washington. Associated Press writers Chris Megerian in West Palm Beach, Florida, and Stefanie Dazio in Berlin contributed to this report.
