Overview
- In a World Economic Forum address, President Trump called for “immediate negotiations” to acquire Greenland and said, “I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force.”
- He argued only the United States can secure the Arctic island, labeled Denmark “ungrateful,” and said the U.S. needs “right, title and ownership” for defense.
- The push is paired with economic pressure, including threats of new U.S. tariffs on multiple European countries if no deal is reached by early February, which EU leaders denounced as coercion.
- Denmark and Greenlandic officials maintain the territory is not for sale as NATO and European leaders warn the drive could fracture alliance unity.
- The U.S. already operates missile-warning and space-surveillance systems at Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, while policy analysts propose non‑annexation options such as a COFA‑style pact and a $30 billion sovereign wealth fund.