Trump's son visits Greenland as president-elect repeats desire to buy the Danish territory

Trump has long been fixated on trying to buy the Arctic island

President-elect Donald Trump on Monday said his eldest son, Don Jr, plans to visit Greenland, two weeks after the incoming US leader suggested that America should annex the autonomous Danish territory.

“My son, Don Jr, and various representatives, will be travelling there to visit some of the most magnificent areas and sights,” Mr Trump said in a post on his Truth Social site, without offering a specific time for the trip.

“Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our nation. We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside world. Make Greenland Great Again.”

Earlier, the Danish Foreign Ministry said it had “noted the planned visit of Donald Trump Jr to Greenland,” adding: “As it is not an official American visit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark has no further comment.”

Greenland's Prime Minister, Mute B Egede, has not commented. The island is an autonomous territory that is part of the kingdom of Denmark.

Mr Trump has had designs on Greenland before. In a statement last month as he announced his pick for US ambassador to Denmark, he wrote: “For purposes of National Security and freedom throughout the world, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.”

Mr Trump’s eldest son has become a prominent player in his father’s political movement and has served on his presidential transition team, helping to select the people who will staff the incoming White House.

The president-elect in 2019 also said he thought Greenland should be part of the US. No details of Don Jr's visit have been made public, and it appears to be a private trip, a Greenland diplomat, Mininnguaq Kleist, told Danish public television DR.