WASHINGTON (Reuters) - US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he was interested in buying Greenland, but made clear that it was not a priority for his administration. "It's something we discussed," Trump told reporters, while Danish Prime Minister Matte Frederiksen responded that Greenland was not for sale and the idea of selling it to the United States was ridiculous.
"The idea was put forward and I certainly said," Trump said. "It is strategically interesting," he said, adding "but we will discuss it" with Denmark, stressing that it is "not a priority" for the US administration.
Asked if he was willing to swap US territory for Greenland, Trump replied: "A lot can be done."
"It's a big real estate deal," he said. Trump said the island was "doing great (economic) damage to Denmark, losing about $ 700 million a year."
In contrast, Denmark's prime minister described the idea of Washington buying Greenland as "ridiculous." She confirmed after Trump's announcement, already interested in his country's takeover, that the island is not for sale. "Greenland is not for sale," Matte Frederiksen told the Sermtiak newspaper during a visit to the island. Greenland is not American, and it belongs to its citizens. "I very much hope that this proposal will not be serious."