Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen has rejected speculation that Greenland might become part of the United States, following remarks by US President Donald Trump suggesting a potential annexation of the island.

Addressing the recent election in Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, Rasmussen said the results should not be interpreted as a sign of imminent independence or any desire to join the United States.

“If I read the Greenlandic election correctly, I believe that Greenland will remain part of the Danish Commonwealth for quite some time,” Rasmussen said. “This is a Commonwealth that needs to be renewed and modernized, and I hope we will work together to strengthen the Greenlandic economy even further.”

He also ruled out any indication that Greenlanders wished to abandon ties with Denmark. “I do not see any indication from the Greenlandic election that there is a desire to leave the Commonwealth in favour of becoming American,” he added.

Trump, speaking on Thursday during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office, said he believed the United States would eventually annex Greenland, describing Denmark as “very far away” from the territory despite its autonomous status within the Danish Kingdom.

In response, Rutte distanced himself from the issue, stating that discussions regarding Greenland’s status were outside his purview and that NATO should not be involved, according to Xinhua news agency.

Greenland, the world’s largest island with a population of around 60,000, was a Danish colony until 1953 when it became an integral part of Denmark. Greenlanders were granted Danish citizenship, and in 1979, Greenland gained home rule, with Denmark retaining control over its foreign and defence policies.