By EMMA BURROWS, CLAUDIA CIOBANU and DANIEL NIEMANN Associated Press
Troops from European countries, including France and Germany, are arriving in Greenland to boost security. This comes as talks in Washington on Wednesday between Denmark, Greenland and the U.S. highlighted disagreements over Greenland's future. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the deployment of French troops, with Germany sending a reconnaissance team on Thursday. Denmark is also increasing its military presence. The talks focused on U.S. intentions to take over Greenland for its mineral resources amid rising Russian and Chinese interest. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen expressed concerns over Trump's intentions. Greenlanders remain uncertain about the future.
By PHILIP CROWTHER, KIRSTEN GRIESHABER and AAMER MADHANI Associated Press
U.S. Vice President JD Vance says Denmark has "underinvested" in Greenland's security and demands Denmark change its approach as President Donald Trump continues to talk of taking over the Danish territory. The pointed remarks came Friday as Vance visited U.S. troops at Pituffik Space Base on the mineral-rich, strategically critical island. The Republican vice president says the Trump administration's message to Denmark is very simple: "You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland." Relations between the U.S. and the Nordic country have soured as Trump has repeatedly suggested the U.S. should control the territory.
Greenlanders have been pushed into the global spotlight in the weeks since U.S. President Donald Trump said America could take over their Arctic homeland. Most say they don't want to be American. Many are worried and overwhelmed by the comments and the attention. But also hopeful. They say Trump's comments have ignited unprecedented interest in full independence from Denmark — a key issue in a parliamentary election on March 11. Greenland is coveted for its strategic location, its valuable rare earth minerals and its potential for shipping routes as the ice that covers most of the world's largest island keeps retreating due to climate change.
