Scott Bessent's comments came a day after President Donald Trump said he would impose tariffs on European countries that reject his push to control Greenland.

The Danes have tried everything to pacify an unpredictable president. Now they may be reaching their red line.

Gold and silver prices climbed fresh peaks on Monday, as investors flocked to safe-haven assets on intensifying tensions, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose extra tariffs on European countries over the control of Greenland.

The island is home to a massive deposit of rare earths, which are crucial to U.S. efforts to maintain its technological lead over China. But tapping them isn't so easy.

Republican lawmakers are scrambling to contain President Donald Trump's threats of taking possession of Greenland, with some showing the most strident opposition to almost anything the Trump administration has done since taking office.

NEW YORK, Jan 18 (Reuters) - European "weakness" necessitates U.S. control of Greenland for global stability, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday even as some lawmakers sounded alarms about the Trump administration's effort to acquire the Arctic territory held by Denmark.

A heckler at an NBA game in London interrupted "The Star-Spangled Banner" on Sunday with an outburst. The heckler said, "Leave Greenland alone!"

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is reportedly weighing the possibility of sending a military presence to Greenland for exercises with allies of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) amid escalating tensions over the territory after President Donald Trump said he wants to acquire the Arctic island,