US V-P Vance's Greenland comments raise Danish hackles

Remarks citing lack of investment in the territory inaccurate, says Prime Minister

- 

Denmark on March 29 said it did not like the "tone" of US Vice-President J.D. Vance's comments that Copenhagen had not done enough for Greenland, during his visit to the strategically placed, resource-rich Danish territory coveted by US President Donald Trump.

"We are open to criticisms, but let me be completely honest, we do not appreciate the tone in which it's being delivered," Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said in posts on social media.

"This is not how you speak to your close allies, and I still consider Denmark and the United States to be close allies," he said.

Mr Vance made his comments during a trip to the Pituffik Space Base in north-western Greenland, viewed by both Copenhagen and Nuuk as a provocation.

"Our message to Denmark is very simple: You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland," Mr Vance told a press conference.

"You have under-invested in the people of Greenland and you have under-invested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass," he added.

Mr Trump argues that the US needs the vast Arctic island for national and international security and has refused to rule out the use of force to secure it.

"We are not talking about peace for the United States. We are talking about world peace. We are talking about international security," Mr Trump told reporters at the White House on March 28.