Vance is then asked about Donald Trump’s suggestion that the US could use military force to take control of Greenland if necessary.
He ostensibly seeks to play down the potential for such a development – but, notably, declines to rule it out.
“The president has said clearly he doesn’t think that military force is going to be necessary, but he absolutely believes that Greenland is an important part of the security, not just of the United States, but of the world and, of course, the people of Greenland, too,” he says.
Asked if plans have been drafted to use military force to take over Greenland, he indicates the White House planned to wait for the people of the territory to vote for self-determination before acting.
“Well, what the president has said, like, is that we need to have more of a position in Greenland,” he says.
“We need it, again, for the safety of the American people and what we think is going to happen is that the Greenlanders are going to choose through self-determination to become independent of Denmark, and then we’re going to have conversations with the people of Greenland from there.
“So, I think that talking about anything too far in the future is way too premature. We do not think that military force is ever going to be necessary.
“We think this makes sense. And because we think the people of Greenland are rational and good, we think we’re going to be able to cut a deal, Donald Trump style, to ensure the security of this territory, but also the United States of America.”
In January, when asked whether he would rule out the use of military force to take control of Greenland and the Panama Canal, which he has also expressed a desire to claim for the US, Trump said: “I’m not going to commit to that. It might be that you’ll have to do something. The Panama Canal is vital to our country. We need Greenland for national security purposes.”
For context: Greenland’s centre right opposition party won the most votes in the territory’s elections this month, in a development that was be seen as a rejection of Trump’s interference in the island’s politics.
The Demokraatit party – which favours a slow move towards independence from Denmark – won 30% of the vote.