Greenland has again said it is not for sale after US President-elect Donald Trump said he wanted to take control of the territory.

“Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland,” Greenland’s prime minister said on Monday, a day after Trump repeated comments about the Arctic island he first made years ago.

Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, is home to a large U.S. space facility and is located on the shortest route from the United States to Europe, meaning it is strategically important to the United States.

Denmark did not immediately respond to Trump’s remarks.

“The United States of America believes it is absolutely necessary to own and control Greenland for the sake of national security and freedom around the world,” the US president-elect wrote on his social media platform “Truth Social” on Sunday.

His comments drew a sharp rebuke from Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede, who said: “We are not selling, we will not sell.”

“We must not lose the long fight for freedom. However, we must continue to be open to cooperation and trade with the world, especially with our neighbours,” he said.

Trump’s controversial comments came just hours after he announced his intention to nominate former ambassador to Sweden Ken Howery as the new ambassador to Denmark.

Howery said he was “deeply honored” by the nomination and looked forward to working with staff at the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen and the U.S. Consulate in Greenland to “deepen the connections between our two countries.”

Trump’s initial proposal in 2019 for the United States to acquire Greenland, the world’s largest island, was also roundly condemned by leaders there.

Then-Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederickson, who still holds the post, described the idea as “ridiculous,” leading Trump to Cancel state visit to the country.

He is not the first US president to suggest buying Greenland. The idea was first proposed in the 1860s during the presidency of Andrew Johnson.

Sunday, Donald Trump Threats to regain control of Panama CanalOne of the world’s most important waterways – has accused Panama of charging exorbitant fees for its use.

Panama’s president later said “every square meter” of the canal and surrounding area belonged to Panama.