By Ayomide Otitoju
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday renewed his push for talks on the acquisition of Greenland, insisting the move was critical to national and global security, while ruling out the use of military force to take the Arctic island from Denmark.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos for the first time in six years, Trump said the United States was uniquely positioned to protect Greenland, describing it as vital to strategic security interests.
“It’s the United States alone that can protect this giant mass of land, this giant piece of ice,” Trump told an audience of global political and business leaders at the Swiss resort. “That’s the reason I’m seeking immediate negotiations to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States.”
He added that while the US possessed “unstoppable force,” it would not deploy it against Denmark, a fellow NATO member, despite what he described as Copenhagen’s lack of appreciation for Washington’s security role.
“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 do that,” Trump said, calling the remark one of the most significant statements of his speech.
Trump’s remarks on Greenland dominated discussions at Davos, overshadowing broader economic and geopolitical debates. His arrival was delayed by several hours after a technical issue forced Air Force One to return to Washington and switch aircraft.
The speech also reignited tensions with European allies. Trump criticised Europe’s economic direction, trade policies, and defence commitments, repeating claims that the United States was treated “unfairly” within NATO.
In response, European leaders and Canada have voiced concern over what they see as threats to the US-led global order. Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, warned on Tuesday of a potential “rupture” in the international system, while NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte urged “thoughtful diplomacy” to defuse tensions sparked by Trump’s Greenland comments.
French President Emmanuel Macron also criticised Trump’s stance, calling for a NATO military exercise in Greenland and warning against attempts to “subordinate Europe.” The European Union has threatened countermeasures after Trump proposed tariffs of up to 25 percent on several European countries supporting Denmark.
Greenland’s prime minister earlier warned that the island’s population of about 57,000 must be prepared for heightened geopolitical pressure, including the risk of military confrontation.
Meanwhile, Trump is expected on Thursday to announce the first charter of his proposed “Board of Peace,” a new international conflict-resolution body with a reported $1 billion cost for permanent membership.
