Trump: The US must own Greenland to deter Russia and China

US President Donald Trump has said that the US "must own" Greenland to prevent Russia or China from occupying it in the future.

He said this on Friday at the White House during a meeting with representatives of oil companies. "We will do something with Greenland, whether they like it or not," Trump said, adding that otherwise Russia or China would become America's "neighbor."

Trump claims that the US military presence on the island under a 1951 agreement with Denmark is not enough. "You defend ownership. You don't defend leases," he added. Greenland, home to approximately 57,000 people, is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.

According to Reuters, the White House is considering several scenarios for bringing Greenland under US control, ranging from financial incentives for residents to the possibility of deploying the military.

Denmark and several European countries have responded negatively. In a joint statement, they emphasized that only Greenland and Denmark can decide on future relations.

(reuters, lud)