'Not a joke': US secretary of state Marco Rubio says Donald Trump is serious about buying Greenland

American President Donald Trump is serious about wanting to buy Greenland, US secretary of state Marco Rubio said on Thursday, after Denmark reacted to his comments about taking over the autonomous Danish territory.

In an interview, Rubio said the United States is not considering military action against Denmark, a Nato ally, but confirmed that Trump's interest in Greenland is real. "This is not a joke," he said.

"President Trump's put out there what he intends to do, which is to purchase it," Rubio told SiriusXM Radio.

"This is not about acquiring land for the purpose of acquiring land. This is in our national interest and it needs to be solved," he said.

Rubio also mentioned Nato's defense commitments to Denmark.

"We have a defense agreement with them to protect Greenland if it becomes under assault," he said. "If we're already on the hook for having to do that, then we might as well have more control over what happens there."

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has spoken with European allies about Trump's remarks. She also had a phone conversation with Trump, which was described as tense.

Rubio said he was not on the call but added that Trump "just speaks bluntly and frankly with people."

"And ultimately I think diplomacy in many cases works better when you're straightforward as opposed to using platitudes and language that translates to nothing," Rubio said.

Rubio also expressed concern about China’s interest in Greenland. He warned that China, seeking Arctic access, could expand its influence there through state-run companies.

"It is completely realistic to believe that the Chinese will eventually, maybe even in the short term, try to do in Greenland what they have done at the Panama Canal and in other places," Rubio said.

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