President Donald Trump on Friday told reporters that NATO was negotiating with the United States on its effort to acquire Greenland from fellow alliance member Denmark.

"NATO has been dealing with us on Greenland. We need Greenland for national security very badly. If we don't have it, we have a big hole in national security," he said. Trump previously urged the alliance to back the U.S. acquisition, though many nations have expressed concerns and several have sent troops to the island for military exercises at the request of Denmark.

The White House this week confirmed the creation of a "working group" between Washington and Copenhagen on a prospective purchase of the territory.

During Trump's first term, he floated a purchase of the island but was met with firm opposition from Denmark. He has since renewed his push for the territory. The administration has not set a firm timeline for its hoped acquisition of Greenland.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.