As tensions escalate between the United States and its European allies over the Trump administration’s covert interest in Greenland, JD Vance, a prominent figure in US politics, has made a surprising claim. Vance asserted that despite the public outrage from European leaders, they have been “much more reasonable” in private negotiations regarding the Danish territory.
Vance’s comments come in the wake of unprecedented attacks on the US government by European leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The trans-Atlantic relationship between the US and the EU appears to be more strained than ever, with French President Emmanuel Macron accusing the US of “useless aggressiveness” over Greenland and denouncing “new imperialism and colonialism.”
However, Vance, who remains a controversial figure in Europe, has dismissed these public displays as mere “posturing.” He told the Washington Examiner that behind the scenes, European leaders have acknowledged the need for the US to play a leading role in defending Greenland, should a significant event occur.
“They’ve also acknowledged that, God forbid, something significant happened in Greenland, the United States would have to play the leading role in defending it,” Vance said. “So there’s a broad recognition that much of what we said about Greenland is actually true, and it’s interesting to juxtapose the public posturing with the very reasonable private negotiations that we’ve had with the Europeans.”
Vance’s claims, however, contradict the public statements made by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who has called for Europe to play a greater role in defending the region and has already mobilized more troops on the island.
In contrast to Vance’s assertions, European leaders have been outspoken in their criticism of the Trump administration’s actions. President Ursula Von Der Leyen of the European Union’s executive branch has threatened an “unflinching, united and proportional” retaliation against the United States if it moves against Greenland.
Even British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has warned that the UK “will not yield” to the US president. Despite the backlash, Trump has recently rolled back some of his incendiary rhetoric about Greenland, allegedly agreeing on a “framework” for the future of the Danish territory.
As the dispute over Greenland continues to simmer, the conflicting narratives between Vance’s claims and the public statements of European leaders highlight the complex and delicate nature of the trans-Atlantic relationship.
