US President Donald Trump has cancelled a state visit to Denmark after the nation's prime minister said Greenland was not for sale to the US.

The president was scheduled to visit on 2 September, at the invitation of Denmark's Queen Margrethe II. Then last week Trump suggested the US was interested in buying Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory. Danish PM Mette Frederiksen described the suggestion as "absurd" and said she hoped Trump was not being serious. Announcing the cancellation of his visit, 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...." A White House spokesman confirmed that the president's visit had been cancelled. The president had earlier confirmed reports that he was interested in buying Greenland. When asked on Sunday if he would consider trading a US territory for the island, he replied: "Well, a lot of things could be done." "Essentially it's a large real estate deal," he said. The suggestion was dismissed by Greenlandic and Danish officials. "Greenland is not for sale, but Greenland is open for trade and co-operation with other countries, including the USA," said the territory's premier, Kim Kielsen. Lars Lokke Rasmussen, the former Danish prime minister, tweeted: "It must be an April Fool's Day joke." Soren Espersen, foreign affairs spokesman for the populist Danish People's Party, told national broadcaster DR: "If he is truly contemplating this, then this is final proof that he has gone mad."

Why would it be appealing to Trump?

Mr Trump has reportedly taken an interest in Greenland, in part, because of its natural resources, such as coal, zinc, copper and iron ore. But while Greenland might be rich in minerals, it currently relies on Denmark for two thirds of its budget revenue. It has high rates of suicide, alcoholism and unemployment. Two people briefed on the discussions told the New York Times the president was also interested in Greenland's "national security value" because of its location. The US has long seen the island as being strategically important and established an air force and radar base there at the start of the Cold War. Republican Representative Mike Gallagher described Trump's idea as a "smart geopolitical move". "The United States has a compelling strategic interest in Greenland, and this should absolutely be on the table," he tweeted. BBC