Denmark sends message to Trump's team over Greenland

Denmark recently sent private messages to President-elect Donald Trump's team expressing its willingness to discuss strengthening security in Greenland or increasing the U.S. military presence on the island, two sources familiar with the matter told Axios.

Trump has repeatedly said that control of Greenland, the world's largest island, is essential for U.S. national security amid threats from russia and China. His son visited the island this week.

Instead, the Danish government is trying to convince Trump, including through messages sent to his advisers this week, that his security concerns can be addressed without annexing Greenland to the U.S.

Sources said the Danish government wanted to avoid a public clash with the new U.S. administration and had sought clarification from members of Trump’s team about what exactly the President-elect meant by his comments earlier this week.

In messages passed to Trump’s team, the Danish government made it clear that Greenland was not for sale but expressed a willingness to discuss any other U.S. request for the island, the sources said.

The U.S. already has a military base in Greenland and a 1951 agreement with Denmark to defend the island, under which an increase in the U.S. contingent could easily be discussed.

Danish officials have already said they are considering further steps to increase investment in military infrastructure and capabilities in Greenland, in consultation with the Greenlandic government.

Trump has previously refused to rule out using military or economic force to gain control of Greenland, calling it a matter of U.S. national security.