By SEUNG MIN KIM | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON -A bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation is headed to Copenhagen later this week in an attempt to show unity between the United States and Denmark as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to threaten to seize Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of the NATO ally.

Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., is leading the trip of at least nine members of Congress, including Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina. The group will be in Copenhagen on Friday and Saturday and will meet with high-level Danish and Greenlandic government officials and business leaders.

In an interview with the Associated Press on Monday, Coons said the delegation wants to send a message that "we understand the value of the partnership we have long had with them, and in no way seek to interfere in their internal discussions about the status of Greenland."

Coons stressed that the United States and Denmark have long been allies, noting that the northern European nation came to the U.S.'s defense in the immediate aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and have for years worked in tandem on other priorities.

"As long as we have been constructive and respectful allies, the Danes have been open arms with us on security and investment and the region," Coons said, adding: "I think the only thing that has changed is the recent statements by the president and the extent to which it seems to have gone from casual to serious, and I just think it's important for us to be heard as strongly supporting NATO and our alliance."