COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Denmark’s prime minister says U.S. President Donald Trump’s idea of buying Greenland from Denmark is “an absurd discussion,” reiterating that the semi-autonomous Danish territory in the Arctic is not for sale.

Mette Frederiksen, who was visiting the world’s largest island to meet Premier Kim Kielsen, says “Greenland is not Danish. Greenland is Greenlandic. I persistently hope that this is not something that is seriously meant.”

Frederiksen said Sunday that the Arctic, with resources that Russia and others could exploit for commercial gain, “is becoming increasingly important to the entire world community.”

Trump is expected to visit Denmark in early September as part of a trip to Europe.