Trump idea ‘absurd’

Denmark PM slams US plan and insists Greenland not for sale

GREENLAND is not for sale and the idea of selling it to the United States is absurd, Denmark’s Prime Minister has said in response to the hints of US interest in buying the island.

“Greenland is not for sale. Greenland is not Danish. Greenland belongs to Greenland. I strongly hope that this is not meant seriously,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told newspaper Sermitsiaq during a visit to Greenland.

Mr Trump has confirmed that he had recently discussed the possibility, though he said such a move was not an immediate priority.

“The concept came up and … strategically, it’s interesting,” Mr Trump said in Morristown, New Jersey.

“Essentially, it’s a large real estate deal. A lot of things can be done. It’s hurting Denmark very badly, because they’re losing almost $700 million a year carrying it. So they carry it at a great loss. It’s not No.1 on the burner, I can tell you that.”

Mr Trump is due to visit Copenhagen early next month, when the Arctic will be on the agenda in meetings with Ms Frederiksen and Prime Minister Kim Kielsen of Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory.

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow on Sunday sparked media reports that Mr Trump had privately discussed with his advisers the idea of buying Greenland.

“I don’t want to predict an outcome. I’m just saying the President, who knows a thing or two about buying real estate, wants to take a look at a Greenland purchase,” Mr Kudlow told Fox News.

Mr Kudlow said the situation was “developing” and noted that US President Harry Truman also had wanted to buy Greenland. “And Denmark owns Greenland, Denmark is an ally, Greenland is a strategic place, up there. And they’ve got a lot of valuable minerals,” Mr Kudlow added.

Ms Frederiksen told Danish broadcaster DR she was strongly against it: “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.”