For months, President Trump has said he wants to take control of Greenland as a U.S. territory and refused to rule out force. But Vice President JD Vance used a much more conciliatory tone than his boss during a visit there.

Nuuk

Vice President JD Vance recently visited Greenland, offering a softer diplomatic approach than President Donald Trump, as the administration's tone on the region has received criticism. President Trump has expressed a desire to acquire Greenland as a U.S. territory, not ruling out the use of force to achieve this goal. However, Vice President Vance emphasized a less aggressive approach during his visit to a U.S. military base in Greenland, focusing on the importance of Arctic security and implying a preference for diplomatic negotiations with Greenland.

In Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, residents have voiced feelings of anxiety and concern regarding the rhetoric from Washington. Despite a desire for full independence, a significant majority of Greenland's population has expressed in a recent poll that they do not wish to become part of the United States. Greenland is a semi-autonomous region of Denmark, with strategic importance due to its location and potential natural resource reserves. The competition between the U.S. and Russia for influence in the Arctic adds urgency to discussions over Greenland's future.

President Trump has highlighted security reasons for U.S. interest in Greenland, emphasizing the strategic advantage it could provide due to its geographical position. Speculation exists that Greenland's mineral reserves could also be a motivating factor in the U.S.'s interest, though Vice President Vance's approach suggests a willingness to explore negotiation rather than military intervention.



Vance uses more conciliatory tone on Greenland than Trump

Tonight, the Trump administration is being scolded for its tone on Greenland. Denmark's foreign minister made the remark after Vice President J.D. Vance traveled to the world's largest island. CBS's Holly Williams is in Nuuk, the capital, with more on the visit. Good evening, Jerica. For months now, President Trump has been saying he wants to take control of Greenland as U.S. territory, and he's refused to rule out using force. But on a brief visit to a U.S. military base here in Greenland yesterday, Vice President Vance used a much more conciliatory tone than his boss. Vance played up the risks to Arctic security posed by Russia and China, and said he was confident the U.S. and Greenland could, quote, cut a deal Donald Trump style. He also said he thought military force would not be necessary. Here in Greenland's tiny capital, Nuuk, with a population of around 20,000, many people have told us they feel anxious and angry about what they're hearing from Washington. Greenland is a semi-autonomous part of Denmark, and while most people here want full independence from Denmark, 85% say they do not want to be part of the United States, according to a recent poll. President Trump says the U.S. needs to take over Greenland for security reasons, and it's true that the U.S. and Russia are competing militarily and economically in the Arctic. Greenland's location is vital, because if Russia ever targeted the U.S. with ballistic missiles, the shortest route runs close by here. Now, Greenland is also thought to hold vast, lucrative, and largely untapped mineral reserves. It's possible, Jerica, that President Trump wants access to that, and his tough talk is a negotiating tactic. All right, Holly Williams, thank you.

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