US Vice President JD Vance on Friday accused Denmark of failing to adequately provide security for Greenland during a trip to the Arctic island.

JD Vance and his wife, Usha, were part of a White House delegation visiting an American military base in Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory owned by Denmark.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly insisted he will bring the territory under Washington's control "one way or the other," angering locals.

Vance says NATO ally Denmark has 'not done a good job'

After meeting with US personnel at a military base in Greenland, Vance delivered a stinging rebuke of the Danish government's policies, saying they "have not done a good job" at protecting the Arctic island.

"You have underinvested in the people of Greenland and you have underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass. That simply must change," Vance told reporters at Pituffik space base on the northwest coast of Greenland.

"As you all know, it's a big issue and it's only going to get bigger over the coming decades," Vance said in remarks, adding that he was "really interested in Arctic security."

He claimed that Russia and China were taking an increasingly keen interest in Greenland, which is strategically located in the Arctic Ocean between Europe and North America. 

"I think that you'd be a lot better... coming under the United States' security umbrella than you have been under Denmark's security umbrella," the vice president added.

Greenland parties announce broad coalition amid Trump pressure

Ahead of the Vances visit, four of the five parties elected to Greenland's parliament earlier this month agreed to form a new, broad-based coalition government, unifying to counter Trump's intentions.

"At a time when we as a people are under pressure, we must stand together," Greenland's new Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said at a press conference.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was cited by DR on Thursday as saying that "We really want to work with the Americans on defense and security in the kingdom. But Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders."

Trip scaled back following pusback against US control of territory

Usha Vance's trip, originally expected to last three days, was scaled back following an uproar in Greenland and Denmark because local authorities had not been consulted by the White House.

The revised visit to Greenland comes amid souring relations between the US and the Nordic country — a traditional US ally and NATO member.

Trump has repeatedly said the US needs to control the mineral-rich Arctic territory of Denmark and has refused to rule out the use of force to accomplish his goals.

On Friday, Trump told reporters at the White House that the issue was not just a question of "peace for the United States. We are talking about world peace. We are talking about international security."

What is Vance doing in Greenland?

The vice president was leading a delegation that includes National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, for the one-day visit.

Initially, Usha Vance had announced a solo trip that would include the Avannaata Qimussersu dogsled race in Sisimiut. Her husband then said he would join her on that trip.

However, the joint itinerary was changed after protests from officials in Greenland and Denmark.

The change removed the risk of violating diplomatic custom by sending a delegation to another country without an official invitation. 

It has also reduced the likelihood that Vance and his wife would cross paths with residents angered by Trump's suggestions that the US would annex Greenland.

How did Greenland react to news of Vance's visit?

Opponents of Trump's plans to control Greenland announced a rally in front of the US Embassy in the Danish capital for Saturday, Danish public broadcaster DR reported on Thursday.

During his first term, Trump floated the idea of purchasing the world's largest island, even as Denmark insisted it wasn't for sale.

Edited by: Roshni Majumdar, Sean Sinico