Trump claims Greenland wants to join the US after 'horrendous' Danish talks

Donald Trump has said he believes the US will take control of Greenland, after details emerged of a "horrendous" call in which he made economic threats to Denmark, which has said the territory is not for sale.

- Jennifer Rankin

Speaking onboard Air Force One on Saturday, Trump said: "I think we're going to have it," and claimed that the Arctic island's 57,000 residents "want to be with us". "I do believe Greenland, we'll get because it really has to do with freedom of the world," he said. "It has nothing to do with the United States, other than we're the one that can provide the freedom."

Since his re-election as president, Trump has reiterated his interest in acquiring the island, which is controlled by Denmark but has a large degree of autonomy.

His latest comments follow a "horrendous" phone call with the Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, during which Trump was said to be aggressive and confrontational in his attempt to take over the island.

Five current and former senior European officials told the Financial Times that the call had gone very badly. "It was horrendous," said one of the sources. "It was a cold shower," another told the paper. "Before, it was hard to take seriously, but I do think it is serious and potentially very dangerous."