President Donald Trump reportedly had a "heated" conversation with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen over his insistence that US control of Greenland is necessary for American national security.
The Financial Times reports that the 45-minute phone call between Trump and Frederiksen reached a pitched conclusion. At the time of the conversation, Trump had not yet taken office and had threatened tariffs against NATO allies.
National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes did not comment on the tone of the conversation, but said Trump focused on Greenland as part of a larger competition between China and Russia.
"President Trump has been clear that the security of Greenland is important to the United States at a time when China and Russia are making significant investments in the Arctic region," Hughes said in a statement.
He further added that the president is committed not only to protecting US interests in the Arctic, but is also working for Greenland to ensure prosperity for both nations.
According to media reports, the conversation took place on January 15th, and the Danish Prime Minister responded with a statement from Greenland officials themselves, stating that the island is not for sale and that it is up to the residents there to decide on independence.
Over the past few weeks, Trump has not ruled out using economic or military force to take control of the Arctic island.
Recall that Greenland is an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark.