In a significant rhetorical shift, former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly abandoned threats of military force to acquire Greenland, choosing instead to wield economic sanctions and negotiate under pressure. His new position was laid out in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
โWe probably wonโt get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force where we would be, frankly, unstoppable. But I wonโt do that,โ Trump stated. โNow everyoneโs saying, โOh, good.โ Thatโs probably the biggest statement I made, because people thought I would use force. I donโt have to use force. I donโt want to use force. I wonโt use force.โ
Despite ruling out invasion, Trump made clear that opposition would carry consequences, directly linking new tariffs to the territorial standoff. โThey have a choice. You can say yes and we will be very appreciative, or you can say no and we will remember,โ he warned NATO allies.
The economic measures include tariffs set at 10% against eight European nations starting February 1, rising to 25% by June 1, โuntil the U.S. is able to purchase Greenland.โ Trump defended the pursuit by framing Greenland as a vital but burdensome asset. โItโs costing Denmark hundreds of millions a year,โ he claimed, while arguing that โno nation or group of nations is in any position to be able to secure Greenland other than the United States.โ
He dismissed the idea of a defensive lease, insisting full ownership was non-negotiable for security. โWho the hell wants to defend a license agreement or a lease which is a large piece of ice in the middle of the ocean?โ Trump asked, adding that ownership is essential because โif there is a war, much of the action will take place on that piece of ice.โ
The president reiterated his โtremendous respect for both the people of Greenland and the people of Denmark,โ but concluded with an unresolved ultimatum: โWe will see what happens.โ
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