Vance Solidifies His Grip on European Foreign Policy Ahead of Greenland Trip

Vice President JD Vance is making waves in the foreign policy arena, delivering sharp rhetoric and decisive actions that have European leaders taking notice. From his critiques of European censorship to urging Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy to show gratitude for U.S. support, Vance has firmly cemented his role as a loudspeaker for the Trump administration's "America First" agenda.

Now, Vance is heading to Greenland, an icy Danish territory, as part of President Trump's ambitious foreign policy playbook. The administration has expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, citing national security concerns and strategic importance in the Arctic region. Whether Denmark is ready to hand over the keys, however, is a different story.

Historically, vice presidents have played second fiddle on international affairs, but Vance is rewriting the rulebook. His military experience—four years as a Marine with a deployment in Iraq—gives him a unique perspective, one that contrasts sharply with former vice presidents lacking direct military credentials.

Accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance, and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Vance is set to visit the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, a vital defensive outpost operated by Space Force. As tensions rise in the Arctic, the region has become a geopolitical chessboard, with Russia and China boosting their presence.

Vance’s tough talk isn’t going unnoticed. European allies have ramped up defense spending, with initiatives like European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's $841 billion proposal and the U.K.'s pledge to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP. Republican Rep. Brian Mast credits Vance's blunt approach for lighting a fire under Europe, calling it "tough talk that works." Mast, himself a combat veteran, says Vance’s stance is a refreshing departure from previous leaders who were "afraid to go out there and talk about what they care about."

Beyond diplomacy, Vance has zeroed in on Denmark's treatment of Greenland’s indigenous population. The Danish government faces allegations of forced medical procedures on indigenous women decades ago, and the issue is expected to be a hot topic during the trip. A senior White House official stated, "Danish leaders have spent decades mistreating the Greenlandic people, treating them like second-class citizens." Expect Vance to underscore these points.

Greenland's natural resources, including oil and natural gas, add another layer of intrigue to the territory. With Russia and China eyeing the Arctic, the Trump administration seems intent on securing its stake—although Denmark and Greenland’s leaders remain steadfastly opposed to U.S. acquisition.

Vance’s approach hasn’t been free of controversy. His remarks at the Munich Security Conference, where he urged Europe to "step up" in its defense spending and accused the continent of self-inflicted woes like censorship and illegal immigration, drew criticism from European officials. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius even likened Vance’s comments to rhetoric seen in authoritarian regimes. Ouch.

Then there was the Oval Office spat with Zelenskyy in February, where Vance called out the Ukrainian leader for what he perceived as disrespect toward the Trump administration. "Do you think it’s respectful to come to the Oval Office and attack the administration trying to save your country?" he reportedly asked. Such boldness is arguably a hallmark of Vance’s style, but it doesn’t always win him friends.

With this Greenland trip, Vance is poised to once again flex his foreign policy muscle. Whether Trump's administration succeeds in acquiring the territory or not, Vance’s no-nonsense approach to diplomacy is leaving a lasting impression—not just on Europe but on the global stage.