US Vice-President JD Vance says Greenland is critical for the defence of the US and the world against possible Russian or Chinese missile attacks - and that Europe and Denmark have not done a good job in securing the area.
Vance told Fox News that they had not only under-invested in Greenland's defences, but also failed to engage with President Donald Trump's argument over the issue.
US officials are actively discussing a potential offer to buy Greenland - a semi-autonomous Danish territory - the White House said on Wednesday, a day after suggesting military action to annex it to the US was also an option.
Denmark, a fellow Nato member, has warned this would spell the end of the alliance.
Both Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly stressed the island is not for sale.
Despite being the most sparsely populated territory, Greenland's location between North America and the Arctic makes it well placed for early warning systems in the event of missile attacks, and for monitoring vessels in the region.
The US already has more than 100 military personnel permanently stationed at its Pituffik base in Greenland's north-western tip - a facility that has been operated by the US since World War Two.
Under existing agreements with Denmark, the US has the power to bring as many troops as it wants to Greenland.
In recent years, there has also been increased interest in Greenland's natural resources - including rare earth minerals, uranium and iron - which are becoming easier to access as its ice melts due to climate change. Scientists think it could also have significant oil and gas reserves.
People do not realise that the entire missile defence infrastructure is partially dependent on Greenland, Vance said in his interview on Wednesday.
Concerns over the future of the territory resurfaced after Trump's use of military force against Venezuela on Saturday to seize its President Nicolás Maduro. Trump previously made an offer to buy the island in 2019, during his first presidential term, only to be told it was not for sale.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that he would hold talks with Denmark next week. A day earlier, European leaders issued a joint statement rallying behind Denmark.
Stressing they were as keen as the US on Arctic security, the European leaders urged for collective efforts to secure the region, while affirming that Greenland belongs to its people and that only Denmark and Greenland can decide on their future relations.
Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic MP, described the comments from the US administration as a clear threat, asserting they show a lack of respect for Denmark and Greenland's sovereignty. Inuit residents like Aleqatsiaq Peary also expressed indifference, feeling that such discussions represented a shift from one colonizer to another.
