Trump says ‘he will not use force’ to acquire Greenland, calls for immediate talks
DAVOS, SWITZERLAND: Donald Trump on Wednesday called for “immediate negotiations to acquire Greenland,” explicitly pledging not to use military force to take the Arctic territory.
He framed US ownership as essential to both national and global security.
“I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force,” Trump said, acknowledging that some believed military action remained an option.
He added that while the United States could be “unstoppable” if it chose that path, it would not do so.
Trump says ‘you need ownership to defend it’
Trump said only full US ownership, “right, title and ownership” would allow Washington to defend Greenland, dismissing options such as leases or defense agreements.
“You can’t defend it on a lease,” he said. “Legally, it’s not defensible that way. And psychologically, who wants to defend a license agreement?”
Describing Greenland as “a large piece of ice in the middle of the ocean,” Trump warned it would be strategically decisive in any future conflict with Russia or China, with missiles passing directly over the island.
Trump criticizes Denmark, US role emphasized
Trump said the United States alone is capable of protecting Greenland, accusing Denmark of neglecting defense responsibilities in the semi-autonomous territory.
“There’s no sign of Denmark on the island,” he said, asserting that Copenhagen has underinvested in security while the US has the capacity to develop and defend the region.
The president also advanced a historical argument, claiming the US effectively controlled Greenland during World War II after Denmark fell to Germany.
“We sent our forces to hold the Greenland territory at great cost and expense,” Trump said, arguing the US later returned the island out of goodwill. “How stupid were we to do that? But we gave it back. How ungrateful are they now?”
Trump dismissed suggestions that Greenland’s mineral resources were driving his interest, saying extraction was impractical and secondary.
“We don’t need it for that,” he said. “We need it for strategic national security and international security. It’s not important for any other reason.”
Trump lashes out at Europe in World Economic Forum
Donald Trump delivered a sharp criticism of Europe, telling a room of European leaders that parts of the continent were “not even recognizable.”
Speaking during his appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said Europe’s immigration and economic policies have put it on the wrong path.
His remarks came amid strained ties between Washington and its European allies, fueled by tariff disputes and Trump’s push to acquire Greenland, and marked one of his sharpest rebukes of Europe since returning to office.
