Trump: Only America can secure the strategic Arctic territory

Trump Says U.S. Will Seek Greenland Deal Without Using Force

U.S. President Donald Trump said he does not plan to use military force to acquire Greenland, but warned that the United States would be “unstoppable” in any armed conflict involving the strategically important island.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland, Trump said Greenland is a key national and international security concern for the United States. He argued that no other country or group of countries, including NATO allies, is capable of properly defending the island.

Trump said he has “great respect” for the people of Greenland and Denmark, but insisted that every NATO member has a responsibility to defend its own territory. He claimed Denmark is unable to secure Greenland on its own, describing the island as largely uninhabited, undeveloped, and exposed in a strategic location between the United States, Russia, and China.

Referring to World War II, Trump said the United States was forced to protect Greenland after Denmark fell to Nazi Germany, and later returned the territory after the war. He questioned that decision, saying global security threats today—such as missiles, nuclear weapons, and advanced warfare systems—make Greenland far more important now than in the past.

Trump stressed that his interest in Greenland is not about natural resources, but about strategic and national security. He said the island lies on North America’s northern frontier and has long been considered vital to preventing external threats from entering the Western Hemisphere.

The president also criticized Denmark’s defense spending, claiming it pledged over $200 million to strengthen Greenland’s security in 2019 but spent only a small portion of that amount. He said the United States is the only country capable of protecting and developing Greenland in a way that benefits both Europe and global security.

Trump confirmed he is seeking immediate negotiations with Denmark to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland, noting that U.S. presidents have tried to buy the island for nearly two centuries.

The issue has drawn sharp reactions in Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron said France prefers “respect over bullying” and rejected what he called “unacceptable” trade threats, following Trump’s warning of tariffs on countries opposing his Greenland plans.

The Greenland debate has become one of the most talked-about topics at this year’s WEF, which has brought together more than 3,000 delegates from over 130 countries, including 64 heads of state and government.

During his speech, Trump also highlighted the strength of the U.S. economy, predicted rapid stock market growth, repeated his ambition to make the United States the global center for cryptocurrency, defended tariffs as a negotiating tool, and claimed the U.S. remains uniquely positioned to safeguard global security.