Donald Trump cancels trip to Denmark after prime minister said selling Greenland would be 'absurd'
Donald Trump’s plans to buy Greenland have hit a stumbling block after Denmark’s prime minister described the proposal as “absurd”.
The President recently floated the idea of purchasing the island - owned by Denmark - but said on Sunday that such a transaction was not a top priority.
Prime minister Mette Frederiksen scoffed at the idea, saying Greenland was not for sale - and now Trump has cancelled his planned meeting with her because of her comments.
....The Prime Minister was able to save a great deal of expense and effort for both the United States and Denmark by being so direct. I thank her for that and look forward to rescheduling sometime in the future!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 20, 2019
Trump tweeted that Ms Frederiksen “would have no interest in discussing the purchase of Greenland” and that he “will be postponing our meeting scheduled in two weeks for another time”.
He added: "The Prime Minister was able to save a great deal of expense and effort for both the United States and Denmark by being so direct.
“I thank her for that and look forward to rescheduling sometime in the future!"
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PM Frederiksen had called Trump's musing about buying Greenland "an absurd discussion" after the former real estate mogul began to talk up the idea.
Trump said that he was interested in such a deal for strategic purposes on Sunday, but said a purchase was not a priority at this time, telling reporters: "It's not No. 1 on the burner.”
The President even joked about his proposal as it came in for ridicule, tweeting a doctored photo of the Trump Tower skyscraper looming over a small village in the Arctic territory.
I promise not to do this to Greenland! pic.twitter.com/03DdyVU6HA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 20, 2019
He tweeted alongside: ”I promise not to do this to Greenland!”
The White House announced in July that Trump had accepted an invitation to visit Denmark's Queen Margrethe and participate in a series of meetings, including with Ms Frederiksen and business leaders.
The trip, set to begin at the end of August, included a stop in Poland for Trump to help commemorate the 80th anniversary of the start of the Second World War.
Trump is expected to go ahead with the Poland portion of the trip.