The United States has no current plans to increase its military presence in Greenland. This was reported by the US embassy in Copenhagen, reported "Reuters".
The clarification comes after renewed interest by President-elect Donald Trump in acquiring the Arctic island.
Trump, who takes office on January 20, said this week that US control of the strategically important Arctic island is "absolutely necessary" and does not rule out the use of military or economic action, such as tariffs against Denmark, to make this happen.
"There are no plans to increase the current United States military footprint in Greenland," the embassy spokesperson assured. "We will continue to work closely with Copenhagen and Nuuk to ensure that all proposals meet our shared security needs".
Greenland is crucial to the US military and its ballistic missile early warning system, as the shortest route from Europe to North America passes through the island.
The US military maintains a permanent presence at the "Pitufik" air base in the northwestern part of Greenland.
The Danish foreign minister previously said that Greenland could become independent if its people wanted it, but it was unlikely to become a state of the United States.
Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede stressed that the island was not for sale and in his New Year's speech he strengthened the call for independence.