Greenland’s leader said on Friday he had not been in contact with incoming US president Donald Trump, who has said he wants control over the Arctic island, and urged everyone to respect Greenland’s wish for independence.

Greenland may become independent if its residents want, but is unlikely to become a U.S. state, Denmark's foreign minister said on Wednesday after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump refused to rule out force to take control of the Arctic island.

Donald Trump has reiterated his interest in buying Greenland, threatening to levy tariffs on Denmark and not ruling out military force to acquire the island. Greenland is a self-ruling Arctic territory that is part of Denmark,

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump says he wants to make Greenland a part of the United States, renewing an interest first expressed in 2019 when he offered to buy the sprawling Arctic island from Denmark - and was rebuffed.

Trump showed initial interest in acquiring Greenland in 2019, and at a press conference Tuesday, he announced, 'we need Greenland for national security purposes.'