“JD Vance hates us.” The great fear of Europeans about Greenland and relations with the US in general

European officials are not optimistic about a compromise with the Trump administration on the issue of Greenland and are even more afraid of the involvement of JD Vance, who they consider more ideological in his hostility to Europe, writes Politico.

Vice President JD Vance's appearance in a Greenland negotiator role alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio at talks with the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland has not been met with favor by some European officials.

“Vance hates us,” a European diplomat told Politico, speaking on condition of anonymity to express what appears to be widespread opinion in the EU.

The stakes go beyond the fate of the arctic island. The White House's belligerent rhetoric has dismayed European allies and prompted Danish officials to warn that any move to annex Greenland would spell the end of NATO.

Wednesday's talks in Washington were not disastrous. The Americans were direct, but there was no declaration of war, and officials agreed to continue negotiations.

A high-level working group will consider whether a compromise can be reached between the Danes, Greenlanders and Trump.

But Copenhagen has already passed Denmark's “red line,” and that conflicts with what the US president has explicitly said he wants.

Unpleasant memories

Vance's involvement is not good news for Europeans, who have not forgotten the vice president's attacks on Volodymyr Zelensky in the February 2025 showdown in the Oval Office.

Before that, the vice president shocked Europeans with a harsh speech in which he accused them of refusing to cooperate with the far right, while complaining that the US must support European security.

In contrast, Rubio is often described as “a solid guy” by European officials and is generally seen as more aligned with mainstream European priorities, particularly on security and the war in Ukraine.

Vance did not release details of Wednesday's discussions regarding Greenland.

In response to a request for comment, Vance's deputy press secretary referred to previous statements by the vice president, who said he “loves Europe” and the European people, but also said European leaders were “asleep at the wheel” and that the Trump administration is frustrated by their failure to address issues such as migration and defense investment.

More ideological in its hostility to Europe

An EU official, speaking after the meeting, suggested that it was actually a good thing that Vance was involved because he “makes the decisions” and has influence over Trump.

Elsewhere, however, skepticism runs deep — and turns to alarm at the prospect that, at the end of Trump's second term, Vance could be the one to take over the White House.

While Trump may be distracted, some EU officials say, Vance appears to be more ideological in his hostility to Europe, writes Politico.

This would pose a risk not only to Greenland, but also to NATO and Ukraine.

Some EU diplomats see Trump's territorial ambitions as part of a pattern that includes Vance's attacks and the White House's new national security strategy as aiming to redirect European democracy toward the goals of Trump's MAGA movement.

As for the Greenland dispute, many in Brussels and European capitals are pessimistic.
Lars Lokke Rasmussen, the Danish foreign minister, has made it clear that an agreement may not be reached.

And other officials agree with that analysis. “Trump doesn't want to invest in something that doesn't belong to him,” said one EU diplomat.

The United States has access to Greenland for military deployments under existing agreements and could easily invest in future economic development, according to the Danes and their allies.

“It is not clear what would be left to negotiate because the Americans can already have everything they want,” said another diplomat. “The only thing Denmark can't offer is to say Greenland can become American,” he said.