Interest in buying Greenland has "popped up from time to time in American politics," Tom Høyem, Denmark's former minister to Greenland, told ABC News in an interview.

Denmark this week announced a $2 billion security package for Greenland, making another large commitment to the defense of the Arctic nation as President Trump repeatedly calls to acquire the

President Trump told Denmark’s leader he wanted to take over Greenland, European officials say. Denmark has asked its E.U. allies not to inflame the situation until Mr. Trump’s intentions are clearer.

French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot discusses the possibility of deploying troops to Greenland if Denmark requests EU solidarity.

Denmark's prime minister plans stops in Berlin, Paris and Brussels on tour of European capitals as Copenhagen moves to strengthen its presence in Greenland.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen calls for Europe to strengthen its independence and collective resilience - Anadolu Ajansı

As global demand for rare earth elements surges, Greenland's vast untapped deposits could transform the tech industry's supply chain, but environmental concerns and technical challenges complicate the path forward.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen agreed at a meeting on Tuesday that allies need to focus on strengthening defences in the Arctic, a source familiar with the talks told Reuters.

An opinion poll indicated on Tuesday that 85% of Greenlanders do not wish their Arctic island - a semi-autonomous Danish territory - to become a part of the United States, Danish daily Berlingske reported.

Greenland’s population is overwhelmingly against leaving the Danish realm in favor of the US, dealing a blow to President Donald Trump’s insistence the island is keen to join.