President Trump on Sunday confirmed reports that he is interested in possibly purchasing Greenland.
Trump told reporters after landing in Morristown, N.J., that Denmark carries Greenland “at great loss” and that purchasing the territory “would be nice” strategically for the U.S:
"Essentially, it’s a large real estate deal. A lot of things can be done,” the President said standing outside of Marine One. “It’s hurting Denmark very badly because they're losing almost $700 million a year carrying it. So, they carry it at great loss, and strategically for the United States, it would be nice. And we're a big ally of Denmark and we help Denmark and we protect Denmark."
Trump said that while it would be strategically smart, the purchase is “not number one on the burner” and his administration must first “find out whether or not they have any interest.”
"I’m thinking about going there,” said the President. “I’m not necessarily, definitely going there, but I may be going. We're going to Poland and then we may be going to Denmark -- not for this reason at all, but we're looking at it. It’s not number one on the burner."
His remarks came after his top economic adviser Larry Kudlow said that Trump was “looking at” buying the Danish territory but that he did not want to “predict an outcome.”
Officials in Greenland, however, say the island is not for sale:
“Greenland is not for sale," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told the newspaper Sermitsiag on Sunday, reported NBC News. "Greenland is not Danish. Greenland belongs to Greenland. I strongly hope that this is not meant seriously."