President-elect Donald Trump has reignited his interest in buying Greenland, alleging that US ownership of the island is an 'absolute necessity' to protect global 'national security and freedom'. 

Trump, 78, made the stark declaration Sunday night as he announced his pick for ambassador to Denmark, PayPal co-founder Ken Howery, who also served as the US ambassador to Sweden from 2019 to 2021.

'For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,' he wrote on Truth Social.

Trump expressed interest in buying Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, during his first presidential term. 

He was publicly rebuffed by Danish authorities - who reiterated the island was 'open for business, not for sale' - before any conversations could take place. 

Trump's interest in purchasing Greenland comes amid a series of a comments about territorial expansion, including invading Mexico and turning Canada into a US state. He also threatened to reassert American control over the Panama Canal.

Although he has publicly mused about expanding US territory, Trump has not shared a specific plan to do so or revealed how much America would pay for such acquisitions.

The Charters Cities Institute, a DC based nonprofit which has analyzed a potential Greenland purchase, claims a purchase is unlikely unless the US were to make a bid that was enticing to all Greenlanders - such as offering $500billion split equally amongst all citizens. 

The US offered Denmark $100million in gold for Greenland in 1946, which adjusted for inflation was approximately $1.4billion in 2019. 

However, the valuation doesn't include the natural resources or diplomatic importance that Greenland, the world's largest island, currently holds, Times Now News reports.