US President Donald Trump made an impassioned speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos to press for “immediate negotiation” over the acquisition of Greenland by the United States, but assured he would not use force to secure the territory.
Speaking for more than an hour in a session originally scheduled to last 45 minutes, Trump sought to allay concerns that his ambitions could undermine the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
He said a US acquisition of Greenland would “not be a threat to NATO” but would instead “enhance the security of the entire alliance”.
Trump’s remarks were highly awaited amid heightened speculation over his intentions toward the Arctic island.
‘US returned Greenland to Denmark’
He devoted a substantial portion of the speech to Greenland, citing the US role in defending the territory after Denmark fell during the Second World War and arguing that Washington had acted as a de facto trustee before eventually “returning control to Denmark”.
“It’s the US alone that can protect this giant mass of land, this giant piece of ice — develop it and improve it and make it safe for Europe and good for us,” Trump said.
That is the reason I’m seeking immediate negotiation to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States.
‘Won’t use force’
The president sought to dispel fears that he might pursue a military option, saying force would not be necessary or desirable.
“We never asked for anything, and we never got anything. We probably won’t get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force, where we would be frankly unstoppable. But I won’t use that,” Trump said, clearing the air on his potential use of force to annex Greenland.
That’s probably the biggest statement I made because people thought I would use force. I would not have to use force, I don’t want to use force, I won’t use force.
“We want a piece of ice for world protection, and they won’t give it. We’ve never asked for anything else, and we could have kept that piece of land, but we didn’t. So you have a choice – you can say yes, and we will be very appreciative, or you can say no, and we will remember,” the US President added.
His comments came days after he threatened to impose new tariffs on eight NATO member states over their involvement in Greenland-related security arrangements, heightening tensions across the alliance.
David E Sanger, the White House and national security correspondent for The New York Times, said Trump’s pledge not to use force may dominate headlines but overlooks existing realities on the ground.
The only significant military presence in Greenland already belongs to the United States, at a long-established Space Force base on the island’s north-west coast.
Sanger noted that under a 1951 treaty, the US could expand its military footprint without an invasion by reopening closed bases and deploying additional troops, effectively recreating its Cold War-era posture on the island.
Markets rebound on assurance
Markets reacted positively to his reassurances.
US stocks, which had fallen sharply a day earlier amid fears of escalating geopolitical risk, rebounded following the speech.
The S&P 500 rose 0.6%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite each gained more than 0.5%.
Beyond Greenland, Trump also addressed tariffs, housing affordability, prescription drug prices, and competition in artificial intelligence.
‘People change once they get the job’: Trump on Powell
He used part of the speech to renew his criticism of the Federal Reserve, expressing frustration that policymakers raise interest rates without consulting him.
“It’s amazing how people change once they have the job,” Trump said, referring to Fed officials.
It’s sort of disloyalty, but they’ve got to do what they think is right.
He singled out Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for criticism, calling him “too late” on interest rate decisions.
Trump said Powell had been “very late with interest rates, except before the elections”.
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