European leaders issue major response after Trump makes new move for US to acquire Greenland

European leaders have hit back at Donald Trump's plan for the US to acquire Greenland.

Earlier this 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.

"And we’re working with everybody involved to try and get it. But we need it really for international world security."

The president's speech concluded with: "We will keep you safe. We will make you rich. And together, we will take Greenland to heights like you have never thought possible before.

"It’s a very small population but very, very large piece of land and very, very important for military security."

Trump has since appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as his envoy to Greenland in what looks like his latest effort to annex the self-governing nation.

Donald Trump has expressed his plans to acquire Greenland (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Landry took to X recently to share he would travel to Greenland in a bid to convince locals they are better off being run by those calling the shots in Washington DC.

"There is no better flag for freedom and opportunity than the flag of the United States. I look forward to sharing that message with the people of Greenland," he said.

Trump, meanwhile, said during a press conference on Monday (December 22) that the US 'has to have Greenland for national security'.

Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, slammed the latest move by the White House, dismissing claims the US could ever have power over Greenland.

He said in a social media post: "Sad, because the U.S. president once again expressed a desire to take over Greenland at a press conference last night. With such words, our country is reduced to a question of security and power.

"That is not how we see ourselves, and that is not how we in Greenland can or should be spoken about."

Many European leaders have also issued a response to Trump's latest move, with Emmanuel Macron, France's president, stating 'Greenland belongs to its people'.

"In Nuuk, I reaffirmed France’s unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Denmark and Greenland," Macron added in an X post.

"I join my voice to that of Europeans in expressing our full solidarity."

Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union stands 'in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland'.

"Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law," she warned the US.