Trump says framework agreement on Greenland purchase ‘almost complete’

US President Donald Trump has said that a framework agreement on the purchase of Greenland by the United States is “almost finished,” during remarks to journalists.

“We have already begun negotiations and I think everything is almost finished. They themselves want it. I think it will be a deal that is beneficial for everyone. It is a very important agreement from a national security standpoint,” Trump said.

Trump first raised the idea of buying Greenland earlier, describing it as strategically necessary and arguing that Denmark cannot defend the territory from what he called encirclement by Russian and Chinese naval forces. He suggested a price tag of around $700 billion for the island.

However, Greenland’s economy minister promptly rejected the White House comments, saying no agreement currently exists and that talks would need to begin first.

The suggestion to buy Greenland sparked concern in Europe and among NATO allies, with officials underlining the importance of respecting Denmark’s territorial integrity and avoiding heightened tensions in the Arctic region.