Rubio says Greenland is part of Denmark – 'for now'

WASHINGTON – Despite the war in Iran and increased attention on Cuba, the Trump administration made it clear on Wednesday that it has not taken its eyes off Greenland.

During a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on June 3, Secretary of State Marco Rubio was asked if he’s “aware that Greenland is indeed part of Denmark.”

 “For now,” Rubio responded.

During his second term in office, President Donald Trump has repeatedly promised he will acquire Greenland, sparking tension with European allies and protests in the semi-autonomous Danish territory. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the island's government have made it clear that Greenland is not for sale.

Trump's supporters say there is strategic value in making Greenland part of the U.S., given its geographic location and richness in oil, uranium and other rare minerals. Trump has argued that the U.S. needs to control the world's largest island to counter threats from Russia and China.

Rubio told lawmakers on June 3 that the administration is engaged in talks with Greenland and Denmark, adding that discussions are “in a good place.”

"We are actually involved in conversations with Greenland and Denmark on the use of Greenland for collective defense for all of us," he said. "It's a key part of missile defense, but we're involved in those talks right now."

Rubio did not elaborate on the discussions but said, "I think we'll have pretty good news on it at some point.”

Last month, the U.S. opened a new consulate and sent a special envoy to the Arctic territory. Trump also posted an AI-generated image of himself peering over a mountainous community with a caption in the photo reading: "Hello, Greenland!"

The opening of the new consulate in downtown Nuuk was met with hundreds of protesters chanting "No means no" and "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders," Reuters reported.

Contributing: Kim Hjelmgaard and Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY.