Greenland's leader sends blunt message to Trump ahead of White House talks

Greenland's prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, has hit back at Donald Trump's plans to 'own' the territory.

Last year, Trump's first speech in a joint session of Congress saw him deliver a bit of a conflicting 'message' to the 'incredible people of Greenland'.

Despite the US 'strongly support[ing]' the territory's 'right to determine' its 'own future,' the 47th President of the US resolved 'one way or the other,' the US was 'going to get' Greenland.

Earlier this month, Trump doubled down on his supposed invitation to Greenland, and the island has since responded to his generous offer.

He previously explained the US 'need[s]' Greenland 'for national security and even international security'.

On Friday (January 9), while aboard Air Force One, Trump added: "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."

The White House has suggested buying Greenland - with Trump describing it as 'essentially a real estate deal,' in 2019 - but the US also hasn't ruled out using force to annex it.

And Greenland's prime minister, Nielsen, reflected on the conundrum during a joint news conference with Denmark's prime minister.

Warning Greenland is 'facing a geopolitical crisis,' Nielsen said: "If we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark."

Making 'one thing [...] clear to everyone,' Nielsen emphasized: "Greenland does not want to be owned by the United States. Greenland does not want to be governed by the United States. Greenland does not want to be part of the United States."

It didn't take long for Trump to hit back at Nielsen, shockingly arguing he'd have to 'disagree'.

Sorry Trump but Greenland isn't exactly keen on joining the US (Liselotte Sabroe / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP via Getty Images)

Yesterday (January 14), Trump reflected on Nielsen's comments, stating, as quoted by the BBC: "That's their problem, I disagree with him... That's going to be a big problem for him."

However, it could also spell a big problem for Trump should the US seize Greenland by force, with members of NATO having previously warned against such a move.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark slammed the 'completely unacceptable pressure from [its] closet ally'.

Trump later responded in classic threatening fashion: "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."

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