President-elect Donald Trump told residents of Greenland that “we’re going to treat you well” as his oldest son visited the mineral-rich Danish territory that’s home to a large US military base, heightening speculation that the incoming US administration could seek to acquire it.

The president-elect later told a news conference he wouldn’t rule out using military force or economic coercion to take control of Greenland, saying that “we need it for national security”. He said Denmark should give up its control of Greenland or it would face high tariffs and suggested people of Greenland could vote for independence or to become the part of the US.