Trump Rules Out Military Force to Acquire Greenland in Davis Speech

 

Donald Trump, speaking Wednesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, explicitly ruled out using military force to acquire Greenland, addressing a topic that has resurfaced amid heightened tensions between the United States and Europe.

Trump’s remarks came as geopolitical disagreements and security concerns in the Arctic region increasingly shape transatlantic relations. While reiterating his belief that the United States is uniquely positioned to defend Greenland, Trump emphasized that force would not be used and instead called for renewed negotiations over the territory’s future relationship with Washington.

During his address and subsequent remarks, Trump spoke bluntly about the issue, acknowledging that the United States possesses unmatched military capability while firmly rejecting its use in this context.

“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,” Trump said.

He reinforced the point moments later, stating:

“I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force.”

The comments were notable both for their candor and for their setting. The World Economic Forum, an annual gathering of global political and business leaders, provided an international stage where Trump’s words were closely scrutinized by allies and rivals alike.

Greenland has long been viewed as strategically significant due to its geographic location in the Arctic, proximity to key North Atlantic routes, and growing importance amid climate-driven changes to polar regions. As melting ice opens new shipping lanes and access to natural resources, global interest in the Arctic has intensified.

Trump framed Greenland less as a territorial ambition and more as a strategic necessity, arguing that defense considerations outweigh political sensitivities.

“No other country can defend Greenland but the United States,” Trump said, asserting that Washington remains the only power capable of securing the territory.