Trump pushes Greenland claim, slams Denmark of ingratitude at Davos
DAVOS, SWITZERLAND: Donald Trump, on Wednesday, used his World Economic Forum address to renew his push for US control of Greenland, calling the Arctic territory strategically vital and claiming only the United States could secure it.
“No nation or group of nations is in any position to be able to secure Greenland, other than the United States,” Trump told the audience. “Every NATO ally has an obligation to be able to defend their own territory.”
He framed the United States as a uniquely dominant military power: “We’re a great power, much greater than people even understand.”
Trump branded Denmark ‘ungrateful’
Trump sharply criticized Denmark for rejecting his proposal to take over Greenland, accusing Copenhagen of ingratitude and invoking World War II history to justify his claim.
“Denmark fell to Germany after just six hours of fighting, and was totally unable to defend either itself or Greenland,” Trump said. He argued that the United States stepped in to defend the territory and later made a mistake by returning it to Danish control.
“How stupid were we to do that?” he said. “But we did it. And how ungrateful are they now?”
His remarks are likely to further strain already tense US-European relations, which have been roiled in recent weeks by Trump’s renewed interest in Greenland and threats of new tariffs.
Trump's recent tirades against Denmark over acquiring Greenland
In recent months, President Donald Trump has rekindled his long-standing interest in Greenland, issuing a series of provocative remarks that have strained ties with Denmark and drawn strong criticism from European leaders.
Trump has repeatedly asserted that the United States should exercise greater control or influence over Greenland, describing it as a territory of critical strategic importance that only Washington is equipped to defend.
He argued that Europe and NATO allies are ill-prepared to secure Greenland, reviving the controversial acquisition idea from his earlier term. Europe responded quickly and firmly, with Danish leaders reaffirming that Greenland is not for sale and stressing respect for sovereignty and self-determination.
European capitals condemned Trump’s remarks as destabilizing and counterproductive to transatlantic cooperation. Even NATO allies, while recognizing Greenland’s strategic importance, emphasized that territorial issues must be resolved through diplomacy and mutual respect, not unilateral demands.
Europe ‘no longer recognizable,’ Trump says
Trump warned that the United States would remember if Europe resists his push for Greenland, framing it as a test of alliance loyalty.
“We want a piece of ice for world protection, and they won’t give it,” Trump said. “We’ve never asked for anything else. We could have kept that land, and we didn’t.”
He said Europe now faces a clear decision. “They can say yes, and we’ll be very appreciative, or they can say no and we will remember,” Trump said, linking the issue to US military strength and NATO’s future.
“A strong and secure America means a strong NATO, and that’s why I’m working every day to make sure our military is very powerful.”
Trump concluded with some of his sharpest criticism of Europe, telling a room of officials that parts of the continent were “not even recognizable.”
“I love Europe, and I want to see Europe go good,” he said. “But it’s not heading in the right direction.”
He blamed Europe’s problems on what he called unchecked migration, excessive government spending and flawed economic policies, remarks deepening the divide between Washington and its traditional allies.
