President Trump scraps meeting with Denmark's leader over Greenland comments

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday evening that he will no longer travel to Denmark to meet with the country's prime minister in early September, over the leader's comments regarding the prospect of America purchasing Greenland.

What are the details?

The president wrote on Twitter, "Denmark is a very special country with incredible people, but based on Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's comments, that she would have no interest in discussing the purchase of Greenland, I will be postponing our meeting scheduled in two weeks for another time."

He added, "The Prime Minister was able to save a great deal of expense and effort for both the United States and Denmark by being so direct. I thank her for that and look forward to rescheduling sometime in the future!"

Last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that President Trump has "repeatedly expressed interest" is buying Greenland, which is the world's largest island and a self-ruling Danish territory. White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow confirmed that the administration was exploring the possibility of such a purchase.

On Sunday, the president told reporters of the idea, "Strategically, it's interesting and we'd be interested, but we'll talk to them a little bit. It's not No. 1 on the burner, I can tell you that," according to The Hill.

How did Denmark and Greenland respond?

Prime Minister Frederiksen told the Associated Press on Monday that the notion of America purchasing Greenland is "an absurd discussion."

"Greenland is not Danish," Frederiksen said. "Greenland is Greenlandic. I persistently hope that this is not something that is seriously meant." The prime minister added, "Thankfully, the time where you buy and sell other countries and populations is over. Let's leave it there. Jokes aside, we will of course love to have an even closer strategic relationship with the United States."

Greeland's foreign minister, Ane Lone Bagger, said of his country, "We are open for business, but we're not for sale."