INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Denmark on Saturday said it did not like the "tone" of US Vice President JD Vance's comments that Copenhagen had not done enough for
Greenland during a visit to the strategically placed, resource-rich Danish territory 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 X."This is not how you speak to your close allies, and I still consider Denmark and the United States to be close allies,"
he said.Vance made his comments during a trip to the Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, viewed by both Copenhagen and Nuuk as a
provocation."Our message to Denmark is very simple: You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland," Vance told a press
conference."You have under-invested in the people of Greenland and you have under-invested in the security architecture of this incredible,
beautiful landmass," he added.Trump argues that the United States needs the vast Arctic island for national and international security and
We are talking about world peace
We are talking about international security," Trump claimed to reporters at the White House on Friday.Asked about the potential use of
force, Vance stressed the US administration did not think that "is ever going to be necessary"."We think this makes sense and because we
think the people of Greenland are rational and good, we think we're going to be able to cut a deal, Donald Trump-style, to ensure the
security of this territory but also the United States of America," Vance said.Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also hit back at
Vance in a statement."For many years, we have stood by the Americans in very difficult situations," she said, referring to Danish combat
deployments alongside American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan."The Vice President's reference to Denmark is not accurate," she said.Vance
was accompanied by his wife Usha, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Utah Senator Mike Lee and former
Homeland Security Advisor Julia Nesheiwat, who is Waltz's wife.'Unacceptable pressure'Danish and Greenlandic officials, backed by the
European Union, have insisted that the United States will not obtain Greenland.Frederiksen has condemned the US decision to visit the Arctic
island uninvited as "unacceptable pressure" on Greenland and Denmark.A majority of Greenlanders opposes US annexation, according to a
January poll.The Pituffik base is an essential part of Washington's missile defence infrastructure, its location in the Arctic putting it on
the shortest route for missiles fired from Russia at the United States.Known as Thule Air Base until 2023, it served as a warning post for
and surveillance equipment.Greenland is home to 57,000 people, most of them Inuits.It is believed to hold massive untapped mineral and oil
reserves, although oil and uranium exploration are banned.Trump's desire to take over the territory has been categorically rejected by
Greenlanders, their politicians and Danish officials.Unity callWhile all of Greenland's political parties are in favour of independence,
none of them supports the idea of becoming part of the United States.A new broad four-party coalition government was announced in Greenland
just hours before the US delegation's arrival, following elections earlier this month.Incoming prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the
