Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Donald Trump called for “immediate negotiations” to acquire Greenland, but ruled out the use of force.
The American president laid out his case for why he believes the US annexing Greenland – an autonomous territory of Denmark, a NATO country – is in the best interests of America and Europe.
“It’s the United States alone that can protect this giant mass of land, this giant piece of ice, develop it and improve it and make it so that it’s good for Europe and safe for Europe and good for us,” Trump said.
“And that’s the reason I’m seeking immediate negotiations to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States, just as we have acquired many other territories throughout our history, as many of the European nations have.”
He said there is “no such thing as rare earth materials in Greenland. What matters is it’s strategic national security and international security”.
Trump has a simple message for Europe: Greenland belongs to the United States. pic.twitter.com/QAA5gCBNct
— Catch Up (@CatchUpFeed) January 21, 2026
Trump: We will not use force to acquire Greenland
He said he would not use force to acquire Greenland, his clearest statement yet, ruling out the use of military might to annex the Arctic island.
“We probably won’t get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force, where we would be, frankly, unstoppable,” Trump said. “But I won’t do that. Okay. Now everyone says, oh, good.”
Trump on Greenland: I never ask 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. pic.twitter.com/a6NP1eOBz6
— Hiba Nasr (@HibaNasr) January 21, 2026
“That’s probably the biggest statement I made, because people thought I would use force. I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force,” Trump said.
“All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland,” he said.
Later, Trump reiterated he envisions full US ownership of Greenland as opposed to a boosted agreement.
“All we’re asking for is to get Greenland, including right title and ownership, because you need the ownership to defend it,” he said. “You can’t defend it on a lease.”
Related: Trump’s Greenland Push Sparks Diplomatic Tensions at Davos
