Greenland does not want to be American or Danish but independent, according to the Arctic island’s prime minister at the end of a tumultuous week following US president-elect Donald Trump’s refusal to rule out force to take control of the territory.

President-elect Donald Trump Tuesday threatened to place new tariffs on imports from Denmark unless the country gives up control of Greenland, news that dented the stocks of some of Denmark’s most important companies and underscored Trump’s focus on geopolitical competition.

Trump's remarks on Greenland - a largely autonomous Danish territory - have drawn a warning from European leaders. EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas has stressed that "we have to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Greenland",

Trump said in a press conference this week that he would not rule out using military force to seize Greenland.