US President Donald Trump and his officials are actively discussing a potential offer to buy the Danish territory of Greenland, the White House has confirmed.
It is something that's currently being actively discussed by the president and his national security team, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday.
Both Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly stressed the island was not for sale.
Asked why the Trump administration had previously said it was not ruling out using military force to acquire Greenland, Leavitt replied that all options were always on the table but Trump's first option always has been diplomacy.
Concerns over the future of the territory resurfaced after Trump's unilateral use of military force against Venezuela on Saturday to seize its President Nicolás Maduro. Denmark, a fellow NATO ally, says an attack on its territory would end the military alliance.
The Trump administration says Greenland is vital to US security.
Despite being the most sparsely populated territory, its location between North America and the Arctic makes it well placed for early warning systems in the event of missile attacks, and for monitoring vessels in the region.
Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, has been operated by the US since World War 2.
In recent years, there has also been increased interest in Greenland's natural resources, including rare earth minerals, uranium, and iron that are becoming easier to access as its ice melts due to climate change. Scientists think it could also have significant oil and gas reserves.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that he will hold talks with Denmark next week.
Trump previously made an offer to buy the island in 2019, during his first presidential term, only to be told it was not for sale.
The acquisition of Greenland by the United States is not a new idea, Leavitt said.
The president has been very open and clear with all of you and with the world, that he views it in the best interest of the United States to deter Russian and Chinese aggression in the Arctic region, and so that's why his team is currently talking about what a potential purchase would look like.
The White House said earlier this week that Trump had been discussing a range of options to acquire Greenland, including using military force.
Earlier in the day, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Rubio had ruled out the possibility of an invasion of Greenland in a phone call with him.
On Tuesday, European leaders issued a joint statement rallying behind Denmark.
Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations, the leaders stated.
Stressing they were as keen as the US on Arctic security, the European signatories said this must be achieved by NATO allies, including the US, collectively.
Aaja Chemnitz, one of two MPs in the Danish parliament representing Greenland, expressed deep concerns about Trump's comments, viewing them as a threat to their autonomy.
Trump's ambition regarding Greenland raises significant questions about sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international diplomacy in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
