Former Vice President Mike Pence defended President Donald Trump’s objective of acquiring Greenland for U.S. national security reasons but expressed concerns about the methods being used, including unilateral tariffs on NATO allies, in a CNN interview on Sunday.
Pence told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union”: “I really want to support the president’s objective here….we have an absolute national security interest in controlling and I think ultimately owning Greenland.” He added: “What the president is trying to do here I think is absolutely in the interest of the United States of America.”
Pence referenced historical precedent, noting that Abraham Lincoln’s Secretary of State, who negotiated the purchase of Alaska, had first suggested acquiring Greenland. He recalled his own 2019 trip to Iceland to argue for U.S. interests in the Arctic amid increasing activity by China and Russia.
While supporting the goal, Pence criticized the approach: “I have concerns about using what I think is a questionable constitutional authority imposing unilateral tariffs on NATO allies to achieve this objective, as much as I had concerns about the threat of a military invasion, which apparently is no longer being talked about.”
Former Vice President Mike Pence questions President Trump threatening new tariffs on allies over Greenland:
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) January 18, 2026
"Well, look, I think it's a question right now, Jake, not of what the president's trying to accomplish, but how? And I have concerns about using what I think is a… pic.twitter.com/2MYQrcpZTb
He emphasized the importance of diplomacy and investment: “I’d rather see the president use his persuasive powers and U.S. investment in Greenland to lay a foundation for ultimately achieving that goal.” Pence noted the existing U.S.-Denmark defense treaty allowing military installations on Greenland, where the U.S. currently operates one base and previously had up to 17.
Pence acknowledged potential strain on relations: “The current posture … does threaten to fracture that strong relationship not just with Denmark but with all of our NATO allies.” He highlighted Denmark’s role in NATO, including invoking Article 5 after 9/11 and suffering high per-capita losses in Afghanistan.
The interview follows Trump’s repeated assertions that Denmark has failed to counter Russian threats in the region for 20 years, stating: “Now it is time, and it will be done!!!” Trump has threatened 10 percent tariffs on goods from eight European countries opposing U.S. control and has not ruled out force, though Pence indicated military threats appear to have receded.
NATO has been telling Denmark, for 20 years, that “you have to get the Russian threat away from Greenland.” Unfortunately, Denmark has been unable to do anything about it. Now it is time, and it will be done!!! President Donald J. Trump
— Commentary: Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) January 19, 2026
(TS: 18 Jan 23:10 ET)…
European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have warned against intimidation, with Macron posting on social media that “no intimidation or threat will influence us neither in Ukraine nor in Greenland nor anywhere else in the world.”
France is committed to the sovereignty and independence of nations, in Europe and elsewhere. This guides our choices. It underpins our commitment to the United Nations and to its Charter.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 17, 2026
It is on this basis that we support, and will continue to support Ukraine…
Experts have questioned the economic viability, estimating costs up to $1 trillion over 20 years for acquisition and infrastructure, with limited returns given cheaper alternatives for minerals and oil elsewhere. White House estimates place the purchase alone at around $700 billion.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
