Denmark open to increasing security in Greenland without Trump purchase of territory: report

In recent weeks, Trump has signaled that the United States' interest in Greenland is so high such that the he would not rule out military or economic coercion to gain control of Greenland. The Danish government, which has said the land is not for sale, is reportedly trying to convince Trump that his security concerns can be addressed through increasing US operations in Greenland, but not claiming it.

Denmark is seen as one of the strongest allies to the United States within the European Union, a diplomat told the outlet, and some have been shocked by the move from Trump. The Danish government is reportedly wanting to stay out of hot water with the US.

After Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Egede met with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Egede told reporters, "Greenland is for the Greenlandic people. We do not want to be Danish, we do not want to be American. We want to be Greenlandic."

The Danish government "made clear Greenland was not for sale but expressed readiness to discuss any other U.S. request regarding the island," Axios reported. A US military base has been in Greenland for some time and a 1951 agreement between the US and Denmark has conditions on defending the island.

Despite all of that, a purchase of the island is not impossible, according to a report from Politico. "There are tons of variations in terms of what is administered by the Interior Department,” the National Security Council chief of staff for Trump's first term, Alex Gray, said. "It’s not a one-size fits all and we have precedent for doing a lot of options." Many in Trump's orbit still believe a deal for a purchase can be met.