Greenland may become independent if its residents want, but it won't become a U.S. state, Denmark's foreign minister said after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump refused to rule out force to take control of the Arctic island.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump says he wants to make Greenland a part of the United States and does not rule out using military or economic power to get Denmark to hand over the mineral-rich and strategically important island.

Greenland’s prime minister has reiterated his call for independence from Denmark after Donald Trump suggested the US could acquire the Arctic territory.