President Donald Trump recently made headlines with his remarks about Greenland, emphasizing that the United States has no intention of using military force to acquire the island. In his address, he described Greenland as “our territory” and urged for a return to negotiations, though he notably refrained from disclosing what the U.S. might be willing to pay for it.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, Trump took the opportunity to engage with some of the globe’s most influential figures. He specifically reached out to Denmark and NATO, advocating for what he termed “a piece of ice, cold and poorly located,” yet crucial for ensuring global peace and security.
In a direct appeal to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump underscored that the United States would not resort to “excessive strength and force,” asserting that such actions would make the nation “unstoppable.” He stressed the significance of his statement, countering assumptions that force might be an option.
“That’s probably the biggest statement I made, because people thought I would use force,” Trump remarked. “I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force. All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland.”
During his 70-minute address in Davos, Trump also detailed what he views as substantial domestic achievements during his second term. However, he did not shy away from criticizing European nations over their immigration and environmental strategies, showcasing a broader agenda beyond Greenland.
In a 70-minute speech in Davos, Trump began by listing what he considered his domestic achievements in the first year of his second term, before attacking European capitals over immigration and environmental policies.Â
He said the continent was “not heading in the right direction” and claimed certain places in Europe are not even recognisable.
Turning to the most controversial of his recent foreign policy moves, Trump said he had tremendous respect for the people of Greenland and Denmark but argued the US needed to control it, arguing no one else could defend it.
Trump insisted his interest was not due to the abundant critical minerals buried beneath the ice.
“We need it for strategic national security and international security,” he said.
“This enormous unsecured island is actually part of North America on the northern frontier of the Western hemisphere.
“That’s our territory. It is therefore a core national security interest of the United States of America.”
However, when later asked by reporters to nominate a reasonable price the US would buy the island for, Trump dodged the question.
“There’s a bigger price, and that’s the price of safety and security and national security and international security having to do with many of your countries,” he said.
“That’s really the price. It’s a big price.”
NATO leaders have warned that Trump’s Greenland strategy could upend the alliance.
His pledge to provoke a sweeping tariff fight to get his way left many allies warning of a rupture capable of shattering an alliance that had once seemed unshakable.
“What I’m asking for is a piece of ice, cold and poorly located that can play a vital role in world peace and world protection,” Trump said.
“It’s a very small ask compared to what we have given them for many, many decades.Â
“But the problem with NATO is that we’ll be there for them 100 per cent but I’m not sure that they’d be there for us.”
Sitting down with Trump at a bilateral meeting after the speech, NATO Secretary-General Rutte sought to assure the president that the alliance’s members would fight for the US.
He pointed out NATO allies went to Afghanistan to fight on America’s behalf after the September 11 attacks â and some soldiers never came home.
“You can be assured, absolutely, if ever the US will be under attack, your allies will be with you,” Rutte told Trump.
Trump said he appreciated the compliment and hoped it was true.
“I mean, he’s a good man, he’s never lied to me before,” Trump said of Rutte.
“I just, you know, when I see what’s happening with Greenland, I wonder.”
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland have offered a wide array of ways for a greater US presence on the strategic island territory of 57,000 people where the US already has military bases but Trump argued you “can’t defend it on a lease”.
“So we want a piece of ice for world protection, and they won’t give it,” Trump said.
“We’ve never asked for anything else, and we could have kept that piece of land, and we didn’t.Â
“So they have a choice. You can say ‘yes’ and we will be very appreciative, or you can say ‘no’ and we will remember.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday called Trump’s planned new tariffs on eight of its countries over Greenland a “mistake” and questioned Trump’s trustworthiness.Â
French President Emmanuel Macron said the EU could retaliate by deploying one of its most powerful economic tools, known colloquially as a trade “bazooka”.
The rising tensions concerning Greenland, and threats of a deepening trade war between the US and Europe, caused global investors to shudder on Tuesday, as stocks on Wall Street slumped.
Trump’s arrival in the Swiss Alps community of Davos was delayed after a minor electrical issue aboard Air Force One had forced a return to Washington to switch aircraft.
Billionaires and business leaders sought seats inside the forum’s Congress Hall, which had a capacity of around 1000, to hear Trump.
Trump is expected to have around five bilateral meetings with foreign leaders, though further details weren’t provided. There are more than 60 other heads of state attending the forum.
– Reported with Associated Press and Reuters
