Additional Coverage:
America First? Maybe We Should Focus on America First
The Trump administration’s recent criticism of Denmark’s handling of Greenland rings a bit hollow. While “America First” champions focusing on our own people and economy, the administration seems preoccupied with how another country manages its affairs. Perhaps before critiquing Denmark, we should take a hard look at our own territories, Puerto Rico and Guam.
Greenland, with a population of 57,000, receives substantial financial support from Denmark – about $600 million annually – covering over half of its public revenue. Denmark also provides defense, education, healthcare, and infrastructure support. Furthermore, Greenland enjoys significant autonomy, controlling its natural resources and having the right to declare independence.
Compare this to Puerto Rico, where over 3 million American citizens lack full voting rights and access to many federal programs guaranteed to other Americans. The island still struggles to recover from Hurricane Maria in 2017, facing inadequate infrastructure and frequent blackouts.
Similarly, Guam, a vital strategic U.S. military outpost, also lacks full democratic rights and faces challenges in healthcare, education, and economic opportunity. Federal funding often falls short of local needs.
Vice President JD Vance’s recent visit to Greenland included public criticism of Denmark’s investment in the island, a move interpreted by many as a bid for U.S. control. This sparked protests in Copenhagen, with demonstrators accusing the U.S. of coercion. Danish leaders firmly rejected the notion of Greenland being for sale, emphasizing their commitment to the island and its autonomy.
The U.S. questioning Denmark’s relationship with Greenland seems ironic. By most measures, Denmark provides Greenland with more self-governance, investment, and respect for local autonomy than the U.S. offers its own territories. Both countries have complex colonial histories, but lecturing allies while neglecting our own responsibilities seems hypocritical.
Greenland’s strategic importance and resources are undeniable, but collaboration with allies, not coercion, has traditionally been the American way to achieve geopolitical goals. The “America First” slogan emphasized strengthening the homeland and investing in our citizens. Shouldn’t ensuring stable electricity in Puerto Rico and full democratic rights for all Americans be higher priorities than perceived land grabs abroad?
True leadership involves defending democracy both at home and abroad. Criticizing others while failing to meet the same standards at home undermines our moral authority. If “America First” is to be more than a hollow slogan, we must demonstrate a commitment to our own people equal to the demands we place on others.