Greenland says it is not for sale, after Trump suggests taking control

Greenland has reminded Donald Trump the country is not for sale, responding to the US president-elect's comments about taking control of the island. 

The territory's Prime Minister Mute Egede said Greenland "will never be for sale", adding that the country must not lose its "long struggle for freedom".

Trump announced on Sunday he had picked Ken Howery, a former envoy to Sweden, as his ambassador to Copenhagen, and commented on the status of Greenland. 

The island is a semi-autonomous part of Denmark and is also host to a large US Air Force base.

Trump seeks control for 'national security'

On Truth Social, Trump said the US felt the "ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity", for "purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World".

Trump, who takes office on January 20, did not elaborate on the statement.

More than a real estate deal

The US President's expression of interest in Greenland is not just another gaffe but a sign of the shape of things to come, as the US manoeuvres to secure its strategic position against emerging rivals.

Denmark's foreign ministry and the prime minister's office were not immediately available for comment.

Danish conservative politician Rasmus Jarlov said the government must state in clear terms that control over Greenland is not up for discussion or negotiation. 

"To the extent that US activities aim to take control of Danish territory, it must be prohibited and countered. Then they can't be there at all," Mr Jarlov said on social media platform X. 

The island, whose capital Nuuk is closer to New York than the Danish capital Copenhagen, boasts mineral, oil and natural gas wealth. 

But development has been slow, leaving its economy reliant on fishing and annual subsidies from Denmark.

With its Pituffik air base, Greenland is strategically important for the US military and its ballistic missile early-warning system. 

Interest in Greenland not new

Trump threatens to retake control of Panama Canal

President-elect Donald Trump muses about regaining US control over the Panama Canal, accusing Panama of charging excessive fees for use of the waterway. 

Trump expressed interest in buying Greenland during his previous term in office, but the proposal was promptly rejected by Denmark and Greenland before any formal discussions could take place.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen previously labelled Trump's offer as "absurd", leading him to label her dismissal of the idea as "nasty" and to subsequently cancel a visit to Copenhagen.

About 56,000 people live in Greenland, which has held the right to declare independence from Denmark since 2009. 

Trump also threatened to reassert US control over the Panama Canal, accusing Panama of charging excessive rates to use the passage.