Greenland is part of Denmark 'for now', warns Marco Rubio
Trump has described Greenland, an island of 57,000 people, as strategically vital for countering Russia and China in the Arctic
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Congress that Greenland is part of Denmark "for now", amid concerns that the superpower was considering annexing the island.
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Mr Rubio was asked by Sarah McBride, from the House of Representatives' foreign affairs committee, whether he was "aware that Greenland is indeed part of Denmark" during questioning over President Donald Trump's remarks that the US should take control of Greenland.
In January, the White House said Trump was considering how to acquire Greenland, including a potential use of the US military, setting off alarm bells among NATO allies in Europe, although talks have since been moved to a diplomatic track.
Trump has described Greenland, an island of 57,000 people, as strategically vital for countering Russia and China in the Arctic.
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The US currently has one active military base there, down from around 17 facilities in 1945.
Mr Rubio was also asked whether the US "needs to own land within NATO to defend it".
He told Ms McBride: "We are actually involved in conversations with Greenland and Denmark on the use of Greenland for collective defence for all of us. It's a key part of missile defence, but we're involved in those talks right now.
"I think we're in a good place on it now.
"I think we'll have pretty good news at some point."
Greenland's government has said that progress had been made in the high-stakes talks over the future of the territory amid U.S. threats of annexation, adding that the giant island belongs to its people and will never be for sale.
The US opening of a larger diplomatic hub in Greenland at the end of May was met by demonstrators opposed to President Trump's ambition for greater influence in the Arctic island, while local government ministers shied away from the event.
Moving from a wooden cabin on the outskirts of Nuuk to a much larger downtown office, the new United States consulate has become a focal point for Greenlanders unhappy with Trump's stated desire to control the island.
Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and a series of other politicians said that they had declined invitations to attend the opening of the new diplomatic mission.
"We haven't made a decision in principle, but I won't participate," Nielsen told local daily Sermitsiaq.
Several hundred people demonstrated outside the consulate, carrying the island's red and white flag and posters that said "USA, stop it", while chanting "No means no" and "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders".
"We will always be neighbours and stand by you, whatever future you decide for yourselves, as your allies and partners," U.S. Ambassador to Denmark Kenneth Howery said in a speech at the opening, according to Greenlandic public broadcaster KNR.