“Denmark has not kept pace and devoted the resources necessary to keep this base, to keep our troops, and in my view, to keep the people of Greenland safe from a lot of very aggressive incursions from Russia, from China and other nations,” Vance said on Friday during a visit to the U.S. military base at Pituffik in northern Greenland.

He suggested that the United States could provide better protection, echoing President Trump’s longstanding interest in acquiring the island.

“Our message to Denmark is very simple: You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland,” Vance said. “You 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.”

Vance said that while the United States has no immediate plans to expand its military presence in Greenland, it intends to invest in resources such as naval ships and military icebreakers.

“I think that they ultimately will partner with the United States,” he said. “We could make them much more secure. We could do a lot more protection. And I think they’d fare a lot better economically as well.”

He emphasized the strategic importance of the Arctic region, citing increased interest from Russia and China in its passageways, naval routes, and mineral resources.

Vance’s remarks were dismissed as unfair by the prime minister of Denmark, which has controlled Greenland since 1721.

Since taking office in January, President Trump has repeatedly argued that Greenland is vital to U.S. national security, pointing to the existing American military bases on the island. Trump’s push to acquire the territory has faced strong opposition from Greenlandic lawmakers and citizens.

Early this month, protests were held in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, with demonstrators waving the national flag and holding signs that read, “Respect Greenland’s sovereignty,” “We are not for sale,” and “Make America Go Away,” a twist on Trump’s campaign slogan.