Denmark summoned the top U.S. diplomat in the country for an explanation following a Wall Street Journal report about the United States stepping up its intelligence gathering on Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory coveted by President Donald Trump.

Officials summoned the American ambassador to express its displeasure after the Trump Administration was said be ratcheting up surveillance.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's office last week sent a "collection emphasis message" to the CIA, NSA and other spy agencies directing them to collect intelligence about Greenland's independence movement and identify potential allies there and in Denmark who support Trump's objective of taking over the island,