For years, the U.S. government has urged China to show "restraint" in pushing its claim on Taiwan and to drop military threats to bring the democratically governed island under its control.

Nicholas Burns, the U.S. ambassador to China, also said he was leaving his post with deep concerns about the future of relations with China.

President-elect Trump’s talk of taking over or acquiring Greenland is highlighting bipartisan talks about the need to increase security around the Arctic island and boost defenses in the region. The GOP views Trump’s desire for Greenland as a negotiating point for enhanced Arctic security linked to his strategy on confronting China.

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called business leaders to a meeting on Thursday after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump last week refused to rule out military or economic action to take control of Greenland.

The prime minister of Greenland has an answer for President-elect Donald Trump on his latest push to acquire the territory. Trump has repeatedly floated buying Greenland in recent weeks, even suggesting at some points he will threaten Denmark with tariffs if it does not cede Greenland.