Danish MP and chairman of Denmark’s parliamentary defense committee Rasmus Jarlov told CNN that if US President Donald Trump orders an invasion of Greenland, it would lead to a direct military conflict between the two countries.

According to Jarlov, Denmark will defend Greenland, and if American troops invade, it would mean war and the two sides would be fighting each other. He acknowledged that the United States is militarily stronger, but said Denmark’s duty is to defend its land and its people.

Jarlov added that such a scenario would be a catastrophe not only for Copenhagen but also for Washington. He argued that the economic rationale for seizing Greenland is poor because the US already has access to the island, and annexation would only bring additional costs.

Earlier, Trump avoided answering directly whether he would use force to take Greenland, but said he was ready to impose tariffs on European goods if a deal over the island cannot be reached.