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Anders Vistisen, a Danish member of the European Parliament, has told U.S. President Donald Trump to "f*** off" after Trump again expressed interest in purchasing the island of Greenland.
Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Trump has long voiced a desire for the U.S. to purchase Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark that sits in a strategically valuable position between the United States and Europe.
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For years, Danish and Greenlandic authorities have rebuffed Trump's proposals, and the president's continued fixation could create tensions between the United States and Denmark, a fellow NATO member.
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What To Know
On Tuesday, during a meeting of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, Vistisen said: "Dear President Trump, listen very carefully. Greenland has been part of the Danish kingdom for 800 years. It is an integrated part of our country. It is not for sale. Let me put it in words you might understand: Mr. Trump, f*** off."
The Parliament's vice president quickly chastised Vistisen for his use of profane language.
Vistisen told Newsweek in an emailed statement: "Absurd statements draw strong reactions. And being fined by the European Parliament is a small price to pay as I stand up for Danish national sovereignty."
He added: "The very idea of purchasing Greenland is not only absurd but a glaring insult to both the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark. Greenland is not for sale. We are willing to continue to help USA tackling their security concerns and military presence in Greenland as good and friendly NATO allies—but nothing more.
"The Kingdom of Denmark does not bow to the arrogance of superpowers."
The Danish lawmaker's comments come as Trump continues to express an interest in the U.S. purchasing the island.
Earlier this month, Trump said at a news conference that he could not promise he would not use military or economic coercion to take control of Greenland or the Panama Canal.
"Well, we need Greenland for national security purposes," Trump said on January 7, adding, "People really don't even know if Denmark has any legal right to it. But if they do, they should give it up because we need it for national security—that's for the free world."
Greenland is the largest island in the world, and in addition to being strategically positioned, it is rich in rare minerals.
While the island is largely self-governed when it comes to domestic affairs, Denmark is in charge of its foreign policy and defense matters.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told Trump in 2019 that his proposal to buy the island was "absurd," leading him to cancel a visit to the country.
On January 15, Frederiksen spoke with Trump ahead of his second inauguration and told him that it was up to Greenland to determine its future.
What People Are Saying
Nicolae Stefanuta, the European Parliament's vice president, responded to the Danish MP's comments: "The term you used is not allowed in this house, and there will be consequences to the message you have used … Regardless of what we think of Mr. Trump, it is not possible to use such language."
Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte B. Egede said at a news conference on Tuesday: "The Greenlandic people must make it clear what they want to be. We do not want to be Danes. We do not want to be Americans."
President Donald Trump said at a news conference on Monday: "Greenland is necessary not for us—it's necessary for international security."
What Happens Next
Trump previously threatened Denmark with targeted tariffs on Danish goods as punishment for not cooperating over Greenland, which could spark a possible trade conflict.
Egede said on Tuesday that Greenland's government was working to arrange a meeting with Trump to reiterate that the island was not for sale.
Update 1/23/25, 6:25 a.m. ET: This article was updated with a comment from Anders Vistisen.
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