President Donald Trump has escalated his push to annex Greenland but ruled out using military force, delivering a combative speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos that drew criticism from European leaders. Speaking to business and political elites, he insisted the United States needed 'ownership' of the Danish territory for national security, warning that rejection would be remembered.
Trump claimed that without US intervention after World War II, Europe would be speaking German or Japanese, and accused Denmark of capitulating to Germany after 'just six hours of fighting'. He argued that only the US could defend the 'enormous, unsecured island', which sits between Russia, China, and America, calling any lease arrangement inadequate.
Denmark’s foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, welcomed Trump’s disavowal of force but said 'the challenge is still there'. Norway’s Jens Stoltenberg, former Nato secretary general, noted the 'important message' that force would not be used, allaying fears of military confrontation.
In a dramatic U-turn, Trump announced a delay on tariffs against eight European countries – including the UK – originally set for 1 February, after talks with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte. He claimed a 'framework of a future deal' on Greenland and the Arctic region had been reached, though Rutte declined to comment on the details.
Trump said the agreement would involve a US missile defence shield partly based in Greenland, describing it as 'fantastic for the USA' and 'forever'. However, it remains unclear whether Greenlandic or Danish leaders endorsed the plan, with Rasmussen stressing the need to 'respect the Greenlandic people' in any resolution.
