Donald Trump says he wants to annex Greenland.JD Vance last week visited a US-controlled base in Greenland, where he chided Denmark.Vast, untapped natural resources in Greenland are at stake.Danish officials have repeatedly told President Donald Trump that Greenland is "not for sale.

Donald Trump had an opportunity to categorically rule out the possibility of using military force to acquire Greenland. He did largely the opposite.

"[Y]our average Middle American says, 'Why are you wasting your time worrying on Greenland, I can't even find it on a map?'"

Republicans in Congress would likely be needed to approve any plan to annex Greenland, and several told USA TODAY they aren't sure that's a good idea.

Denmark is open to discussions with the U.S. on how to "fix" the status quo in Greenland, the country's foreign minister said, after Vice President JD Vance's visit.

Jens-Frederik Nielsen, prime minister of Greenland, rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's prediction that the U.S. will eventually control the territory. Trump has said controlling Greenland is of strategic importance to the U.S. for national security and trade.

Greenland will strengthen its ties with Denmark until it can become a sovereign nation, the Arctic island's incoming prime minister told Reuters on Monday, noting that the semi-autonomous Danish territory ultimately wants to become independent.

Donald Trump has long asserted the US will take control of Greenland and, on Saturday, insisted the move would help boost international security - but the island territory is furious