‘A large real estate deal’: Trump confirms interest in buying Greenland

‘Greenland is not for sale. Greenland is not Danish. Greenland belongs to Greenland,’ says Danish leader

Donald Trump has confirmed he wants the US to buy Greenland from Denmark, despite Copenhagen rejecting the idea as “absurd”.

The US president told journalists he was “looking at [buying Greenland]” but admitted the deal was not a top priority for his administration.

“The concept came up and....strategically it’s interesting,” he said.

“It is not number one on the burner; I can tell you that.”

The president, speaking on board Air Force One, said the idea originated in conversations between members of his administration and was essentially “a large real estate deal.”

A report in the Wall Street Journal said Mr Trump became interested in the country after hearing about its natural resources and geopolitical importance.

“First we have to find out whether or not they have any interest,” he said.

The US president’s idea has been mocked on social media and has prompted baffled reactions from foreign leaders.

Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, has said it is not for sale.

“Greenland is not for sale, but Greenland is open for trade and cooperation with other countries, including the USA,” Kim Kielsen, the country’s premier, said in a statement.

On Sunday the US president suggested that Greenland was an economic burden on Denmark, claiming the country lost $700m a year “carrying” Greenland.

Greenland is situated between the Atlantic and Arctic oceans.

It is economically dependent on Denmark but handles its own domestic affairs, while Copenhagen looks after defence and foreign policy.

The US military has operated for decades from Thule Air Base in the country and Harry Truman is believed to have tried to buy the nation in 1946.

On Sunday the Danish prime minister said he hoped Mr Trump was not being serious.

“Greenland is not for sale. Greenland is not Danish. Greenland belongs to Greenland. I strongly hope that this is not meant seriously,” Mette Frederiksen told the newspaper Sermitsiaq.

“It’s an absurd discussion, and Kim Kielsen has of course made it clear that Greenland is not for sale,” Mr Frederiksen added, in an interview with Danish broadcaster DR.

“That’s where the conversation ends.”

Donald Trump is due to visit Copenhagen in September.

Additional reporting by agencies