NUUK, Greenland>> U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on Friday that Denmark has “underinvested” in Greenland’s security and demanded that Denmark change its approach as President Donald Trump continues to talk of taking over the Danish territory.

The pointed remarks came as Vance visited U.S. troops on Pituffik Space Base on the mineral-rich, strategically critical island. “Our message to Denmark is very simple: You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland,” Vance said. “You have underinvested in the people of Greenland, and you have underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass filled with incredible people. That has to change.”

Vance said the U.S. has “no option” but to take a significant position to ensure the security of Greenland as he encouraged a push in Greenland for independence from Denmark.

“I think that they ultimately will partner with the United States,” Vance said. “We could make them much more secure. We could do a lot more protection. And I think they’d fare a lot better economically as well.”

Vance was joined by his wife and other senior U.S. officials during a visit to an American military base in Greenland that was scaled back after an uproar among Greenlanders and Danes who were irked that the original itinerary was planned without consulting them.

Soon after arriving, Vance briefly addressed U.S. troops stationed at the base as he and his wife sat down to lunch with them, saying that the Republican administration of Trump is very interested in “Arctic security.” He and his entourage, including national security adviser Mike Waltz, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, then received briefings from military officials.

“As you all know, it’s a big issue and it’s only going to get bigger over the coming decades,” Vance said at the start of his lunch with the troops.

The revised trip to the Danish territory comes as relations between the U.S. and the Nordic country have soured after Trump repeatedly suggested that the United States should in some form control the territory of Denmark — a traditional U.S. ally and NATO member.

In Washington, Trump said the U.S. “needs Greenland for international security.”

Trump, speaking after Vance’s arrival at the military base, alluded to the rising Chinese and Russian interest in the Arctic, where sea lanes have opened up because of climate change.

“Greenland’s very important for the peace of the world,” Trump said. “And I think Denmark understands, and I think the European Union understands it. And if they don’t, we’re going to have to explain it to them.”

Inhabitants of Nuuk, which is about 930 miles south of Pituffik, voiced concern about Vance’s visit and the U.S. interest in their island.

Cora Høy, 22, said Vance was “welcome if he wants to see it but of course Greenland is not for sale.” She added that “it’s not normal around here” with all the attention Greenland is getting. “I feel now every day is about (Trump), and I just want to get away from it.”