President Donald Trump stated today at the Davos forum that the U.S. will not use military force to acquire Greenland but is pushing for negotiations to secure ownership of the territory. This comes amid his long-standing interest in the strategically vital Arctic island, citing national security needs against threats from China and Russia.
Trump made these remarks during a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on January 21 at 2:30 PM, emphasising that only the U.S. can properly defend Greenland. He called Denmark “ungrateful” for past U.S. aid and urged “immediate negotiations,” while noting that the U.S. could be “unstoppable” militarily but is choosing diplomacy instead.
Trump revived his 2019 push for Greenland in January 2025 and again in December 2025, viewing it as essential for resources and NATO strength. However, he faces hurdles, such as U.S. Senate treaty ratification requiring 67 votes and opposition from Greenlanders and Danes. European leaders are concerned about potential fallout within NATO, and no formal purchase offer has yet been made.
U.S. President Trump also expressed at Davos that he believes European countries are not heading in the right direction. “I love Europe, and I want to see Europe do well, but it’s not moving in the right direction,” Trump said.
He noted that “some places in Europe are becoming unrecognizable,” indicating that these changes are taking a negative turn, particularly criticising European migration policies and energy strategies.
In a significant development, France, Germany, Norway, and Sweden decided on January 15, in coordination with several NATO allied countries, to deploy mountain troops in Greenland as part of an “inter-allied exercise.” Meanwhile, a meeting in Washington on Wednesday highlighted a fundamental disagreement between Denmark and the United States over the future of the autonomous territory of Greenland.
U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated that his country “absolutely needs Greenland,” stating that the island is surrounded by “Russian and Chinese ships.” He expressed this viewpoint during an interview with The Atlantic on January 4.
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