Greenland may become independent if its residents want, but is unlikely to become a US state, Denmark's foreign minister has said, after US President-elect Donald Trump refused to rule out force to take control of the Arctic island.
Yesterday Mr Trump, who takes office on 20 January, set off new alarm when he refused to rule out military intervention over the Panama Canal and Greenland, both of which he has said he wants the US to control.
On the same day, Mr Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, made a private visit to Greenland.
Greenland's leader held talks today with the Danish king in Copenhagen, a day after Mr Trump's remarks thrust the fate of the mineral-rich and strategically important island, which is under Danish rule, to the top of world headlines.
Greenland, part of NATO through the membership of Denmark, has strategic significance for the U.S. military and for its ballistic missile early-warning system since the shortest route from Europe to North America runs via the Arctic island.
The US president-elect has indicated he would pursue a more combative foreign policy that disregards traditional diplomatic formalities.
Greenland, the world's biggest island, has been part of Denmark for 600 years although its 57,000 people now govern their own domestic affairs. The island's government led by Prime Minister Mute Egede aims for eventual independence.
"We fully recognise that Greenland has its own ambitions. If they materialise, Greenland will become independent, though hardly with an ambition to become a federal state in the United States," Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said.
He told reporters the US' heightened security concerns in the Arctic were legitimate following increased Russian and Chinese activity in the region.
"I don't think that we're in a foreign policy crisis," he said. "We are open to a dialogue with the Americans on how we can possibly cooperate even more closely than we do to ensure that the American ambitions are fulfilled."
Still, although Denmark itself played down the seriousness of Trump's threat to its territory, the returning president's openly stated ambition to expand U.S. borders has jolted European allies less than two weeks before he takes office.
France's foreign minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, said Europe would not let other nations attack its sovereign borders, although he did not believe the U.S. would invade.
EU leaders baffled by Trump comments - Scholz
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said EU leaders were baffled after Mr Trump refused to rule out military action.
"In my discussions with our European partners, there has been a notable incomprehension when it comes to current statements from the USA regarding the principle of the inviolability of borders," Mr Scholz said, without specifically naming Mr Trump.
Mr Scholz, who called a statement to the media at short notice after talking to "a number of European heads of state and government and the President of the European Council", stressed that the "inviolability of borders is a fundamental principle of international law".
He said that it was that principle that had been violated in Russia's invasion of Ukraine and that it applied to "every country, regardless of whether it is to the east or west of us".
"Every state must abide by it, regardless of whether it is a small country or a very powerful state," he went on.
He also indirectly addressed Mr Trump's call to other NATO members to boost their defence spending to 5% of GDP.
Mr Scholz recalled that "there is a regulated procedure in NATO for precisely this purpose" and that such targets had to be discussed "with all alliance partners".
France has also warned Mr Trump against threatening the "sovereign borders" of the EU.
"There is no question of the EU letting other nations in the world, whoever they may be, attack its sovereign borders," Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told France Inter radio.
Mr Barrot added that while he did not believe the US "would invade" Greenland "we have entered an era that is seeing the return of the law of the strongest".
Last month Mr Trump said US control of Greenland was an "absolute necessity" and on Monday he posted on his Truth Social platform: "MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!"
"Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation," he wrote.
Mr Trump later declined to rule out military or economic action as part of his avowed desire to have the US take back control of the Panama Canal and acquire Greenland.
Asked at a press conference whether he would avoid using military or economic coercion in Panama and Greenland, Mr Trump said, "No, I can't assure you on either of those two. But I can say this, we need them for economic security."
Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told Danish broadcaster TV2 following his comments that she did not think it was a good way forward to fight close allies with financial means.
"The United States are our most important and closest ally...so I can't imagine us getting there," she said.
Donald Trump Jr flew in his father's "Trump Force One" private plane for a visit. No meetings were scheduled with government officials on the island, which has a population of just 57,000.
"Greenland coming in hot...Well, actually, really really cold!!!!," Mr Trump Jr said in a post on X along with a video from the cockpit as the plane prepared to land between snow-covered mountains.
"We're really happy to be here. We're here as tourists to see this incredible place," he told local broadcaster KNR upon arrival, adding that he had originally planned to visit last spring. He said he had spoken to his father, "and he says hello to everyone in Greenland".
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Read more: What we learned from Trump's latest press conference
Denmark, a NATO ally, has seen relations with Greenland worsen in recent years, prompted by allegations of historic mistreatment of residents under Danish rule.
On Monday, Mr Egede postponed a meeting with Denmark's King Frederik scheduled to take place in Copenhagen today. No reason was given for the postponement.
Ms Frederiksen told broadcaster TV2: "We need very close cooperation with the Americans.
"On the other hand, I would like to encourage everyone to respect that the Greenlanders are a people, it is their country, and only Greenland can determine and define Greenland's future."
Greenland straddles the shortest route between Europe and North America and is strategically important for the US military and its ballistic missile early-warning system.
It boasts mineral, oil and natural gas wealth, but development has been slow, leaving its economy reliant on fishing and subsidies from Denmark.
