Trump's 'big problem' warning for Greenland's PM over decision to side with Denmark amid take over bid

US President Donald Trump.

• Trump disagrees with Greenland's decision to stay with Denmark
• Greenland leaders reject US takeover, stress island's self-governance
• Trump warns of Russian and Chinese interest in Greenland if US doesn't act

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Amid ongoing tussle over the acquisition of Greenland, US President Donald Trump reacted strongly after its Prime Minister said the island wants to remain with Denmark.

Responding to the comments, Trump said it was “their problem" and made clear that he disagreed with their stand on the Arctic Island. “I disagree with them. I don’t know who he is. Don’t know anything about him. But that is going to be a big problem for him," Trump said.

Trump's comments came after Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the self-governed Danish territory wants to remain part of Denmark rather than join the United States, amid US President Donald Trump's ongoing push to take over the island.

"We face a geopolitical crisis, and if we have to choose between the U.S. and Denmark here and now, then we choose Denmark," Nielsen told reporters in Copenhagen on Tuesday, standing alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. "We stand united in the Kingdom of Denmark."

"The United States has once again reiterated its desire to take over Greenland. This is something that the governing coalition in Greenland cannot accept under any circumstances," said the island's coalition government, Reuters reported.

Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within Denmark and a NATO partner of the United States. Both Danish and Greenlandic leaders have repeatedly rejected any suggestion that the island could be sold or annexed, emphasising that Greenland's future should be decided by its own people.

Earlier on Saturday, Trump reiterated claims of having to do "something" about Greenland, "the easy way" or "the hard way", saying that if the US doesn't take any action, Russia and China would spring in and that Washington does not want to have them as neighbours.

"We are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not, because 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 neighbour. I would like to make a deal the easy way, but if we don't do it the easy way, we're going to do it the hard way," Trump said when he was asked about the island, ANI reported.