President Donald Trump's interest in buying Greenland is "not a joke," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview on Thursday, adding that acquiring Greenland was in U.S. national interest and needs to be solved.

Intrigued by Walker’s suggestion, Seward — who was negotiating with Copenhagen to purchase the Danish West Indies — asked Walker to prepare a report describing what the United States stood to gain from acquiring Greenland,

Howard Lutnick, who has agreed to divest his financial interests if he is confirmed, is one of several allies of President Trump who have held or explored potential mining investments on the island.