President Trump says US will not use force to acquire Greenland
People thought I would use force, but I don’t have to use force, Donald Trump said
DAVOS: U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday ruled out the use of military force in his long-standing push to acquire Greenland, insisting instead on immediate negotiations while asserting that only the United States is capable of securing the strategically located Danish territory.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Trump sought to allay international concerns by emphasizing that his administration has no intention of using coercion or military pressure to gain control of the vast Arctic island.
“People thought I would use force, but I don’t have to use force,” Trump told a packed congress hall of business leaders and policymakers. “I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force.”
Speech Overshadowed by Greenland Controversy
Trump’s remarks came during a closely watched economic address that was largely overshadowed by renewed attention to strained transatlantic relations and growing unease in Europe over Washington’s interest in Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
Downplaying the geopolitical sensitivity of the issue, Trump described the proposed acquisition as a “small ask,” referring to Greenland as a “piece of ice,” and argued that U.S. control of the island would pose no threat to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), of which both Denmark and the United States are founding members.
“No nation or group of nations is in any position to be able to secure Greenland other than the United States,” Trump said. “I’m seeking immediate negotiations to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States.”
NATO Allies Voice Concerns
Trump’s renewed push has drawn warnings from NATO leaders, who fear that the strategy could destabilize the alliance at a time of heightened global security challenges. Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly rejected the idea of a sale, while offering alternative proposals to expand U.S. military, economic, and scientific presence on the island, home to roughly 57,000 people.
Despite these concerns, Trump maintained that American involvement in Greenland would enhance global security rather than undermine alliances.
“We want a piece of ice for world protection, and they won’t give it,” he said, drawing mixed reactions from the audience.
A Turbulent Year and a Dominant Agenda
The Davos appearance came one day after Trump marked the end of what he described as a turbulent first year of his current term in office. His Greenland proposal is expected to continue dominating discussions at the World Economic Forum, where global elites traditionally debate economic outlooks, political risks, and emerging trends.
Reiterating his position later on Wednesday, Trump again called for immediate talks toward a potential deal, stressing that his interest in Greenland was driven by strategic security considerations rather than access to rare earth minerals.
“I’m seeking immediate negotiations,” he said, adding that the urgency of the matter “has nothing to do with rare earths.”
As reactions continue to ripple across Europe and within NATO, Trump’s comments have ensured that Greenland—long a quiet Arctic territory-remains at the center of an intense global diplomatic debate.