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US President Donald Trump has scrapped his planned visit to Denmark because he says Denmark’s Prime Minister will not discuss selling Greenland.

Mr Trump recently floated the idea of purchasing the island - owned by Denmark - but said as recently as Sunday that such a transaction was not a top priority.

The President even joked he wouldn’t build a Trump Tower in Greenland if he was able to acquire it.

Denmark had scoffed at the idea, saying Greenland was not for sale.

Mr Trump tweeted: “Denmark is a very special country with incredible people, but based on Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s comments, that she would have no interest in discussing the purchase of Greenland, I will be postponing our meeting scheduled in two weeks for another time.

“The Prime Minister was able to save a great deal of expense and effort for both the United States and Denmark by being so direct.

“I thank her for that and look forward to rescheduling sometime in the future!”

Mr Trump told reporters on Sunday the idea of buying Greenland from Denmark was "just something we've talked about".

"Denmark essentially owns it. We're very good allies with Denmark," he said.

"We've protected Denmark like we protect large portions of the world, so the concept came up."

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen previously dismissed the idea as “absurd”.

"Greenland is not Danish. Greenland is Greenlandic," she said. "I persistently hope that this is not something that is seriously meant."