Mike Pence

Well, thank you, Joe.

Thanks for having me on.

Well, it was actually back in 2018 when I was vice president that President Trump first expressed an interest.

You thought it was a good idea?

In adding Greenland to the United States, either as a territory or beyond, much of the way we purchased Alaska, much of the way Thomas Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Purchase.

And I really do believe, Joe, that there is a national security case to be made.

The Arctic has become much more active with regard to military incursions by China and Russia.

And having that platform permanently for the United States, as well as all the mineral rights, is key.

I had concerns, of course, about any suggestion that we would use military force against the territory of a NATO ally.

That would be unacceptable.

I also had concerns about the president threatening more unilateral tariffs against countries

that wouldn't agree with turning Greenland over to the United States.

So I, like a lot of people over there in Davos, I welcome the announcement of a framework.

Sounds like there'll be additional opportunities for a permanent military base as well as mining.

And I think that sets into motion a process that could well someday in the future

give way to Greenland being a part of the United States as a territory?

Sure.

I mean, you look at it, the U.S.

Virgin Islands were a part of Denmark back in the day.

Those were purchased.