Fact Check: US Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland in late March 2023 and advocated for US control of the island.

Fact Check: "US Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland in late March 2023 and advocated for US control of the island."

What We Know

In late March 2023, Vice President JD Vance, alongside his wife Usha, visited Greenland. Initially, the trip was framed as a cultural tour, but it quickly evolved into a politically charged visit, particularly in light of the Trump administration's previous interest in acquiring the island. Reports indicate that the visit was met with significant local opposition, with Greenland's Acting Prime Minister Mute B. Egede labeling it a "provocation" and a "demonstration of power" (BBC). The Vances' itinerary was altered to focus on a visit to the Pituffik Space Base, a U.S. military installation, rather than engaging with the local community, which had expressed discomfort with the visit (AP News).

During the visit, Vice President Vance criticized Denmark for allegedly failing to adequately protect Greenland, suggesting that the U.S. could provide better security (Reuters). This aligns with President Trump's previous statements about the strategic importance of Greenland and his desire for U.S. control over the territory for national security reasons (Washington Post).

Analysis

The claim that JD Vance visited Greenland and advocated for U.S. control of the island is partially true. While he did visit Greenland and made statements suggesting that the U.S. could better protect the island than Denmark, the context of his visit and the nature of his advocacy are more nuanced.

The visit was initially intended to be a cultural engagement but shifted to a more politically sensitive agenda due to local backlash and historical context surrounding U.S. interest in Greenland (BBC, AP News). The change in itinerary, which limited public interactions and focused on a military base, indicates an awareness of the potential for diplomatic fallout (Fox 5 Atlanta).

Moreover, while Vance's comments may imply a desire for increased U.S. influence or control, they do not explicitly advocate for annexation or direct control in the manner that President Trump had previously suggested. Instead, Vance's remarks seem to reflect a broader strategy of enhancing U.S. presence in the Arctic region amid rising geopolitical tensions (Euronews).

The sources used in this analysis are generally credible, with established news organizations like the BBC, Reuters, and the Washington Post providing the information. However, the framing of the visit and the implications of Vance's statements can vary based on the source, which is important to consider in evaluating the overall narrative.

Conclusion

The claim that "US Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland in late March 2023 and advocated for US control of the island" is Partially True. While Vance did visit Greenland and made statements that could be interpreted as advocating for a stronger U.S. role, the context of his visit was complex, involving significant local opposition and a shift away from public engagement. His comments reflect a broader strategy rather than a direct call for annexation.

Sources

1. Greenland prepares for uncomfortable visit from US vice-president - BBC
2. Vance accuses Denmark of not keeping Greenland safe - Reuters
3. Trump reiterates desire to control Greenland as Vance - Washington Post
4. Change in itinerary for US Vice President JD Vance brings cautious - AP News
5. Vance scolds Denmark during Greenland trip as Trump - BBC
6. Vance, wife redirect visit to US military base in Greenland after - Fox 5 Atlanta
7. U.S.、USA、America 有什么区别？ - 知乎
8. Vance says US could protect Greenland better, accuses - Euronews