"We don't want to be Americans": The governments of Greenland and Denmark have responded to Trump's remarks about taking control of the island.

Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede stated at a press conference, "Thank you very much to the USA, but Greenland is a Danish autonomous territory that will decide its own future and does not wish to become part of the USA."

His remarks came after President Donald Trump’s recent claim during his inauguration speech that the USA would expand and intends to take control of Greenland.

"We are Greenlanders. We do not want to be Americans. We also do not want to be Danes. The future of Greenland will be decided by Greenland," the Prime Minister of the island autonomy asserted.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen responded to Trump by stating that "you cannot just do whatever you want in Greenland."

The minister dismissed Donald Trump's suggestion that the USA might attempt to take control of Greenland.

"Of course, we cannot agree to a world order where countries, if they are large enough, regardless of what they are called, can simply do as they please," he said.

Rasmussen expressed particular concern over the broader "rhetoric" of the new president, who spoke about the expansion of US territory.

Danish media reported that the country's government held a series of urgent talks with key politicians and business leaders throughout the day on Tuesday, considering its response to Trump's comments about "wonderful" Greenland made the previous day in his speech.

"Greenland is a wonderful place. We need it for international security. I am sure Denmark will leave (the island). They need a lot of money to maintain it. The people of Greenland, as you know, are dissatisfied with Denmark. I think they are satisfied with us. We'll see what happens. This is not for us, but for international security. You have Russian boats everywhere, Chinese boats, military ships. They (Denmark) cannot handle it," Trump stated.

Background. It should be noted that Republicans have prepared a bill that would allow Trump to purchase Greenland. If the bill is passed, it will enable Trump to begin negotiations with Denmark immediately after his inauguration.