France warned Donald Trump against threatening the EU’s “sovereign borders” after he refused to rule out using military force to take over Greenland.

Responding to the president-elect’s remarks, Jean-Noel Barrot, the French foreign minister, said that while he did not believe the US would invade the Danish-controlled territory, the EU should not allow itself to be intimidated.

He told France Inter radio: “There is obviously no question that the European Union would let other nations of the world attack its sovereign borders, whoever they are. We are a strong continent.”

Mr Trump said on Tuesday that Greenland should be sold to the US for “national security”.

He also called for the Panama Canal to be returned to America.

Mr Barrot continued: “If you’re asking me whether I think the United States will invade Greenland, my answer is no. But have we entered into a period of time when it is survival of the fittest? Then my answer is yes.”

Greenland’s prime minister will meet the Danish king in Copenhagen on Wednesday in the wake of Mr Trump’s threats.

Mute Egede, who arrived in Copenhagen late on Tuesday, had announced before his trip that a meeting with Denmark’s King Frederik scheduled for Wednesday had been postponed. 

However, on Wednesday the Danish royal court said the meeting would take place.