Trump calls off meeting with Denmark's prime minister because ‘she would have no interest in discussing purchase of Greenland’
Donald Trump has postponed a meeting with Denmark’s prime minister because “she would have no interest in discussing the purchase of Greenland”.
The US president recently floated the idea of purchasing the island, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, but said as recently as the weekend that such a transaction was not a top priority.
Denmark had rebuffed the idea, saying Greenland was not for sale.
Now the US president has tweeted that “based on Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s comments, that she would have no interest in discussing the purchase of Greenland, I will be postponing our meeting scheduled in two weeks for another time”.
In a second tweet, he added: “The prime minister was able to save a great deal of expense and effort for both the United States and Denmark by being so direct. I thank her for that and look forward to rescheduling sometime in the future!”
Mr Trump was scheduled to depart at the end of August on a trip that included stops in Denmark and Poland.
The US leader became interested in the country after hearing about its natural resources and geopolitical importance, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal which originally reported the story.
Denmark is a very special country with incredible people, but based on Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s comments, that she would have no interest in discussing the purchase of Greenland, I will be postponing our meeting scheduled in two weeks for another time....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
....The Prime Minister was able to save a great deal of expense and effort for both the United States and Denmark by being so direct. I thank her for that and look forward to rescheduling sometime in the future!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
He later told journalists that the territory which is situated between the Atlantic and Arctic oceans was strategically “interesting” and was essentially “a large real estate deal.”
The US president’s was subsequently mocked on social media and has prompted baffled reactions from foreign leaders.
Denmark, insisted that it is not for sale.
Over the weekend Ms Frederiksen said she 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,” she told the Sermitsiaq newspaper.
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In a separate interview with Danish broadcaster DR she added: “It’s an absurd discussion, and Kim Kielsen has of course made it clear that Greenland is not for sale.”
“That’s where the conversation ends.”
Greenland’s premier Kim Kielsen reiterated that stance, but said it was ”open for trade and cooperation with other countries, including the USA.”
The territory 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.
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Read more ‘Please God no’: Greenland reacts with horror at Trump plan to buy it
