- Trump outlined what he described as strategic reasons for the proposed acquisition
- He repeatedly referred to Greenland as being within America’s sphere
- Keir Starmer made it clear that Britain would not bow to pressure from Washington
US President Donald Trump has declared that his administration is pushing for immediate negotiations aimed at acquiring Greenland, insisting that the move is critical to global and American security.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Eko Hot Blog reports that Trump said the United States would pursue ownership of the Danish territory through dialogue, stressing that he had no intention of deploying military force.
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“We probably won’t get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force, which would make us frankly unstoppable, but I won’t do that,” Trump said. “I don’t want to use force, and I won’t use force.”
Despite the reassurance, the president’s comments suggested a firm determination to secure Greenland. During his lengthy address, which lasted over an hour, Trump outlined what he described as strategic reasons for the proposed acquisition, citing Greenland’s location between the United States, Russia and China as vital to national and global security.
He repeatedly referred to Greenland as being within America’s sphere, describing it as part of “our hemisphere” and “our territory,” language that has raised concerns among European leaders about Washington’s intentions.
Trump also revisited long-standing grievances, including claims that the United States played a decisive role in defending Greenland during World War II, only for Denmark to later show what he called ingratitude.
He further criticised NATO allies, arguing that the US shoulders a disproportionate share of the alliance’s financial and security burden, while questioning whether member states would reciprocate in America’s time of need.
As Trump arrived in Davos, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made it clear in the UK Parliament that Britain would not bow to pressure from Washington over Greenland. The US president has previously threatened to impose a 10 per cent tariff on goods from eight European countries opposed to the plan.
Analysts say Trump’s interest in Greenland goes beyond security concerns, pointing to his desire to leave a legacy of territorial expansion and to assert American dominance in the Arctic region. His comments, while couched in diplomatic language, indicate that the issue remains a high priority for his administration.
Although the president ruled out the use of force, observers note that his framing of Greenland as inherently American leaves little room for compromise, signalling that the debate over the territory is far from over.
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