US President Donald Trump says the Danish Prime Minister's response to his idea of purchasing Greenland was "nasty".
Initial reports of Trump's desire to take control of Greenland - an autonomous territory of Denmark - were met with confusion and humour.
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The Wall Street Journal reports last week that Trump has had multiple discussions about purchasing the land, with his interest going as far as to ask White House counsel to see if such a deal was possible.
Former Denmark Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said "it must be an April Fool's Day joke".
However, the mood soured on Wednesday after Trump announced that he was postponing a scheduled meeting with Danish Prime Mette Frederiksen in two weeks after she called the proposition "absurd".
Trump told reporters that that comment was "nasty".
"I looked forward to going, but I thought the Prime Minister's statement that it was 'absurd' was nasty, I thought it was an inappropriate statement. All she had to do is say 'no, we wouldn't be interested.'"
He also noted that this isn't the first time a United States President has shown interest in Greenland. In 1946, Denmark turned down an offer from the US for the land.
Despite Trump postponing his Danish visit, Frederiksen said the US remained one of Denmark's closest allies.
"I don't think the cancelling of this state visit should affect any decisions we make whether it is on commercial co-operation or foreign and security policies."
Trump has been told the icy state has abundant resources and geopolitical importance according to the Journal's sources "familiar with the discussions". Obtaining the land would have substantial economic benefits, but has also been dismissed as unrealistic.
It may also provide Trump with a legacy similar to that of President Dwight Eisenhower who helped make Alaska a US state in 1959.
Newshub.
