Vance also said the U.S. respects Greenland's sovereignty, despite Trump's repeated comments that America would take ownership of the Arctic island away from Denmark.
"We do not think military force is ever going to be necessary," Vance said in response to a reporter's question on whether there are military plans to take over the island.
"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."
Vance made his remarks from the Pituffik Space Base, an American military installation that is a critical front line in missile defense, missile warning and space surveillance. It is located in the northwestern part of Greenland.
Trump has repeatedly discussed acquiring Greenland, arguing it would strengthen U.S. security and combat threats ranging from Russia's access to the Arctic to China's attempts to make inroads in the region.
"We need Greenland for international security. We have to have Greenland," Trump said in remarks from the White House on Friday.
Vance shifted attention to Denmark's responsibility for Greenland's security, saying that the Danes "have not done their job in keeping this area safe."
Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, which criticized Vance's trip to the island and has repeatedly said the territory is not for sale.
Vance said the U.S. had no plans to expand its military presence on the island and suggested that any change in security in Greenland would be done in consultation with its capital Nuuk.
The Pituffik visit was arranged after the White House decided to cancel a "heritage" tour of the island for second lady Usha Vance, national security adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright amid intense backlash from officials in Nuuk and Copenhagen — and an apparent cold shoulder from Greenlanders.
Read the full report at TheHill.com.
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