Trump had 'fiery' call with Denmark PM over Greenland: Report

US President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump  in a “fiery” phone call last week told Denmark’s Prime Minister  Mette Frederiksen he is serious about taking over Greenland, the Financial Times reported citing officials.

Trump and Frederiksen spoke on the phone for 45 minutes last week after the president said he wanted the U.S. to take Greenland, even as officials repeatedly said it’s not for sale.

“He was very firm,” a source told the publication. “It was a cold shower. Before, it was hard to take it seriously. But I do think it is serious, and potentially very dangerous," the source added.

Trump was aggressive and confrontational, the report added, despite Frederiksen’s offer to increase Greenland-U.S. cooperation on military bases and natural resource exploitation.

Greenland is important for the United States’ national security, U.S. Congressman Mike Waltz said earlier this month.

Greenland is rich in minerals essential for technology and defence, including rare earth elements used in mobile phones, electric vehicles, and weapons. As China dominates the global rare earth market, Greenland’s reserves are of increasing interest to the US.

Trump said he wants to acquire Greenland for national defence reasons. By taking the island under its control, the US seeks to counter Russia and China’s growing influence in Greenland and the Arctic, ensuring its dominance in strategically evolving lands between Europe and America.

Greenland, which is part of NATO through the membership of Denmark, straddles the shortest route between Europe and North America and is strategically important for the U.S. military and its ballistic missile early-warning system.