"White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt refused to rule out the US taking Greenland by force - but said buying the territory was also under discussion - during her briefing in DC on Wednesday. "Why not rule out taking it by military force?" she was asked. "I know that past presidents and past leaders have often ruled things out, they've often been very open about ruling things in and basically broadcasting their foreign policy strategy to the rest of the world," she said. "Not just to our allies, but most egregiously to our adversaries. That's not something this president does. All options are always on the table for President Trump as he examines what's in the best interests of the United States." Asked about reports the US could buy the Danish territory, she replied: "Well, that's something that's currently being actively discussed by the President and his national security team." "Does the president recognise Denmark's ownership as part of the kingdom?" another tried. "I have not heard him question it personally but you're welcome to ask him yourself next time you have the chance," Leavitt added. Donald Trump has repeatedly said he 'needs' Greenland for national security reasons. A joint statement from the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, UK and Denmark hit back at Trump on Tuesday, saying that 'it is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland'. "