US President Donald Trump reignited the international debate over the United States' desire to acquire Greenland during his participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. In remarks that garnered significant attention in political circles, Trump affirmed that he would not resort to military force to seize the self-governing Danish territory, but simultaneously emphasized the necessity of the island remaining under US sovereignty.
Speaking to world leaders and business figures in Davos, Trump said, “We’re probably going to get nothing unless I decide to use overwhelming force, and then, frankly, we’ll be unstoppable. But I’m not going to do that.” He added, elaborating on his stance, which combined reassurance with a veiled threat of economic power, “Okay. Now everybody’s saying, ‘Okay, fine.’ That was probably the most important statement I’ve ever made, because people thought I was going to use force.” He continued, emphasizing, “I don’t need to use force. I don’t want to use force. I’m not going to use force.”.
A call for immediate negotiations and strategic ambitions
The US president not only denied any intention of a military invasion, but also explicitly called for “immediate” talks regarding the transfer of sovereignty over the island to Washington. Trump justified his efforts by stating that “only the United States is capable of protecting, developing, and improving this enormous landmass, this enormous piece of ice,” adding, “That is why I am seeking immediate negotiations to discuss the United States’ acquisition of Greenland.”.
Historical background: This is not the first attempt
It is worth noting that the United States' interest in annexing Greenland is not a recent development, nor is it limited to the Trump administration; rather, it has deep historical roots. In 1946, US President Harry Truman offered Denmark $100 million in gold to purchase the island, given its vital geopolitical location. The US State Department had also explored the idea of acquiring it as early as 1867. The island currently hosts Thule Air Base, the northernmost US military base, which plays a pivotal role in the ballistic missile early warning system and space surveillance, thus making the US presence there a de facto reality.
The geopolitical and economic importance of the event
Trump's remarks come amid fierce international competition for the Arctic. As ice melts due to climate change, new shipping lanes open up and the island's vast natural resources become more accessible. Greenland holds enormous reserves of rare earth minerals essential for technological and military industries, making it a strategic target for breaking China's dominance in this sector. Washington also seeks to block any growing Russian or Chinese influence in the Arctic, where China has already expressed interest in building airports and infrastructure, a move that has alarmed the Pentagon.
Trump had canceled an official visit to Denmark in August 2019 after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the idea of selling the island as “absurd,” asserting that “Greenland is not for sale.” Despite the firm European rejection, Trump’s renewed demands at a global forum like Davos indicate that Washington views this issue as a long-term strategic matter, not merely a fleeting media stunt.
