Denmark Contacts Trump for Greenland

Denmark has sent private messages to President-elect Donald Trump's team, expressing its readiness to discuss strengthening security in Greenland or increasing American military presence there without claiming the island, Axios reports.

Trump, who takes office on January 20th, has described Greenland's American control, a semi-aunomical Danish territory, as a “absolute dex1>. He did not rule out possible use of military or economic means to achieve this, including tariffs against Denmark.

Axios, citing two sources, reported that the Danish government wants to convince Trump that its security interests can be met without claiming Greenland.

A spokesman for the Trump transition team did not respond to a request for comment on Axio's report.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said earlier this week that she had requested a meeting with Trump, but did not expect a meeting before his inauguration.

Greenland's Prime Minister Muite Egede also said he was willing to talk to Trump, but called for respecting Greenland's aspirations for independence.

Denmark has already said Greenland is not for sale.