President Donald Trump renewed his long-running push for the United States to gain control of Greenland during remarks Wednesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, framing the issue as a matter of global security while ruling out the use of military force for the first time.
Speaking before an audience that included European political and business leaders, Trump argued that U.S. ownership of the Arctic territory is necessary for defense purposes and criticized NATO allies for opposing the idea. At the same time, he suggested that Washington could exert other forms of pressure if negotiations do not move forward.
“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 do that,” Trump said, referring to what he described as America’s historic contributions to NATO. “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.”
The remarks marked the first time Trump has explicitly ruled out military action to acquire Greenland. Earlier this week, he declined to answer a question from NBC News about whether force was an option.
Despite rejecting military action, Trump delivered pointed warnings to European leaders, suggesting there would be consequences if they continue to oppose his proposal.
“We want a piece of ice for world protection… they won’t give it,” he said. “They have a choice. Say ‘yes’ and we’ll be appreciative. Say ‘no’ and we will remember.”
Trump said U.S. ownership is essential because alternative arrangements would not provide sufficient security guarantees. “Because you need the ownership to defend it, you can’t defend it on a lease,” he said, adding, “Who the hell wants to defend a license agreement or a lease?”
Greenland is a vast, resource-rich Arctic territory that is self-governing but remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark, a U.S. ally and member of NATO. Under NATO’s collective defense principle, an attack on one member is considered an attack on all, making any suggestion of coercive action against Danish territory particularly sensitive.
Trump again emphasized that Europe has what he called a clear decision to make. “You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative, or you can say no, and we will remember a strong and secure America means a strong NATO, and that’s one reason why I’m working every day to ensure our military is very powerful,” he said.
In recent weeks, Trump has escalated his campaign by linking it to trade policy. He has threatened to impose tariffs on countries that are not “going along” with his Greenland plans. According to Trump, eight NATO allies would face 10 percent tariffs starting February 1, rising to 25 percent on June 1, and remaining in place until “such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.”
The president has also tied the issue to broader diplomatic grievances. In a recent text message to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Trump blamed Greenland for his failure to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, writing that Norway’s decision not to award him the prize meant he no longer felt obligated to think “purely of Peace,” though he said peace would remain “predominant.”
Store responded publicly on Monday, reaffirming Norway’s position. “Norway’s position on Greenland is clear. Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Norway fully supports the Kingdom of Denmark on this matter,” he said.
Danish and Greenlandic officials have repeatedly stated that Greenland is not for sale, and public opinion in Greenland has consistently opposed any transfer of sovereignty. Trump’s renewed push, combined with tariff threats and blunt rhetoric toward allies, has added strain to relations with European partners while raising questions about how far the administration is willing to go to pursue its Arctic ambitions without resorting to force.
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