While Ms Frederiksen of Denmark wails about it meaning the end of NATO (probably something Trump as well as some Congressional Republicans would be quite OK with), it seems the big icy island — which when the climate was warmer 1,000 years ago actually was quite green — is next on the Trump administration’s territorial takeover list. This year’s 4th of July is the USA’s 250th.

WASHINGTON (ANP/AFP) – US President Donald Trump is exploring how to gain control of Greenland, and the use of the US military is “always an option,” according to the White House. Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said that “acquiring Greenland is a priority for our national security.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Denmark and Greenland requested that the US quickly meet to discuss the US president’s claims about Greenland. Trump, aboard his government plane, said he “needs” the autonomous Danish island for “security reasons,” for example, to deter Russia and China.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the US threats are not as serious as they appear. In a private meeting with members of Congress, Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly said that the goal is to purchase the island from Denmark, the newspaper reported.

Greenland has significant oil and gas reserves. The island is also rich in iron ore, zinc, gold, rare earths, and diamonds.