The prime minister of the Greenland says the people of his mineral-rich Arctic territory don't want to be Americans but that he's open to greater cooperation with the United States.

Greenland's leader said on Friday he had not been in contact with incoming U.S. president Donald Trump, who has said he wants control over the Arctic island, and urged everyone to respect Greenland's wish for independence.

Many in the sprawling Danish territory don’t want to sell to the U.S., but they are open to the idea of a closer relationship.