Trump makes scathing threat to NATO as he reiterates plans to take over Greenland

Donald Trump has reiterated his plans to annexe Greenland and has even made a threat to NATO as he claims China or Russia will take over the Danish territory if the US doesn't.

Last year, the POTUS had a message for the people of Greenland in what was a somewhat confusing address.

"If you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America," Trump said. "We need Greenland for national security and even international security."

More recently, the president doubled down on his insistence that America must acquire Greenland, as he said on Friday (January 9) that the US was 'going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not'.

"If we don’t do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland, and we’re not going to have Russia or China as a neighbor," Trump added.

Donald Trump isn't backing down on plans to annexe Greenland (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

And in more recent comments aboard Air Force One, the Republican president dismissed warnings from allies and NATO, claiming the alliance needs the US 'more than we need them'.

Press asked Trump on Sunday (January 11) if taking over Greenland would damage the US' relationship with NATO, to which he responded: "If it affects NATO, then it affects NATO. But, you know, they need us much more than we need them, I will tell you that right now."

He continued: "Greenland should make the deal because Greenland does not want to see Russia or China take over. Greenland, basically their defense is two dogsleds."

In a separate exchange, Trump made it clear he believes that if the US doesn't annexe Greenland, then China or Russia would.

"I'm not going to let that happen. One way or the other, we're going to have Greenland," he added.

"Maybe NATO would be upset if I did it… we'd save a lot of money. I like NATO. I just wonder whether or not if needed NATO would they be there for us? I'm not sure they would."

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt previously said that ‘all options’ remain open to Trump, including ‘military force’ when it comes to acquiring the Danish territory.

However, despite Trump's insistence that he would acquire Greenland, the country's prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, has repeatedly rebuked the claims and slammed the US leader for even making such a suggestion to an autonomous nation.

“Threats, pressure and talk of annexation have no place between friends,” said Nielsen.

“That is not how you speak to people who have shown responsibility, stability and loyalty time and again. Enough is enough. No more pressure. No more innuendo. No more fantasies about annexation.”

Should the president decide to invade Greenland, it would force NATO to intervene and defend one of its members - but it would be major uncharted territory.

As Denmark is a member of NATO, the alliance's Article 5 mutual defense clause could be triggered if Trump used military action to annexe Greenland.