Copenhagen, August 16: Lawmakers and top political leaders in Denmark have ridiculed United States President Donald Trump's reported plan to "buy Greenland". If the reports are true, said Danish People's Party spokesperson Soren Espersen, then it proves that the American head of state is not in the best state.

"If he is truly contemplating this, then this is final proof, that he has gone mad," Espersen told Danish broadcaster DR. He further added that Denmark, under of circumstances, can sell a land which is inhabited by nearly 50,000 citizens. Greenland Ice Melting Four Times Faster Than Expected: Study

Reports of the US considering to buy Greenland emerged after The Wall Street, citing top sources, said Trump chaired a meeting with senior White House officials and asked them to formulate a strategy for buying off Greenland.

Notably, Greenland is an autonomous region whose civil matters are jurisdiction by a locally elected government, whereas, defence and foreign affairs is handled by Denmark.

The region has lately grabbed attention of world leaders, including Russia and China, due to its strategic location and presence of immense resources and minerals beneath its surface.

Aaja Chemnitz Larsen, Danish MP from Greenland’s second-largest party Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA), said not even a miniscule section of the local population would want to join the US. "Better to have a relation with Denmark then with the United States," he said.

Former Danish PM Lars Lokke Rasmussen said that Trump's purported plan, at best, could be considered as an "April Fool's joke".

Meanwhile, the Danish government is yet to issue an official response on the Trump administration's plan to buy Greenland. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod were expected to issue a statement late on Friday.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 16, 2019 04:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).