BERLIN: The people of Greenland would like to be part of the United States, President Donald Trump has indicated in remarks aboard Air Force One, journalists travelling with the president reported on Sunday, reported German news agency (dpa).
"I think Greenland will be worked out with us. I think we're going to have it. And I think the people want to be with us, as you know. There’re 55,000 people there, want to be with us," Trump said.
He added that he did not really know what claim Denmark had to the autonomous territory, but added that a Danish refusal would be "a very unfriendly act".
Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte B Egede has said that the people of Greenland would decide the territory's future. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen supported his comments.
Greenland, the world's largest non-continental island, is largely self-governing under the Danish crown, with defence and foreign affairs provided by Denmark.
It occupies a key geopolitical position in the Arctic and is believed to have resources of vital minerals.
In his remarks, Trump said that the US would "get Greenland" because this had to do with the world's freedom and that the US was the only force that could provide that freedom.
Trump has not ruled out using military force or economic measures, and he pointed to the interest shown by Russia and China, both seen as hostile powers by the US. The US currently maintains a military base in the north of the island.
"Right now, you have Russian ships, you have China ships, you have ships from various countries. It's not a good situation and I believe we'll get that (Greenland)," he said.
