WASHINGTON (TNND) — President Donald Trump renewed his threat on Sunday for the U.S. to take control of Greenland “one way or the other” and criticized the territory’s defense, saying it consists of “two dog sleds.”

The president insisted to reporters aboard Air Force One that the U.S. needs to seize the Arctic Island to prevent Russia or China from doing the same.

“If we don’t do it, Russia or China will, and that’s not going to happen when I’m president,” Trump said.

When asked if there was a deal either Greenland or Denmark could offer, Trump said a deal would be easier, “but one way or the other, we’re going to have Greenland.”

Trump’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric has alarmed Europe and raised concerns about the future of the NATO military alliance. NATO allies have said a U.S. attack on Greenland, a self-governing island that is part of Denmark, would lead to the end of the alliance.

However, Trump told reporters that although he “liked” the alliance, NATO needs the U.S. “more than we need them.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet with Denmark and Greenland this week.

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and party leaders said Friday night that the island has no interest in becoming part of the U.S.

“We don’t want to be Americans, we don’t want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders,” the leaders said.

Asked in Beijing Monday about U.S. statements that Washington must take over Greenland to prevent China and Russia from taking control, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning replied that “China’s activities in the Arctic are aimed at promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region and are in accordance with international law.” She didn’t elaborate on those activities.

“The rights and freedoms of all countries to conduct activities in the Arctic in accordance with the law should be fully respected,” Mao said, without mentioning Greenland directly. “The U.S. should not pursue its own interests by using other countries as a pretext.”

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Editor’s note:The Associated Press contributed to this article.