Trump at Davos: US Seeks Greenland Ownership to Strengthen NATO Security

Speaking at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump made a forceful and controversial pitch for American control over Greenland, insisting that such a move would strengthen the North Atlantic Treaty Organization while posing no threat to its security.

Trump stated clearly that the United States would not use military force to acquire Greenland.

However, he said he wanted NATO to hand over the strategically located Arctic territory to Washington.

“America has given NATO a great deal, but in return it has received very little,” he remarked. “We are one hundred percent with NATO, but I am not sure whether the organization stands fully with us.”

He added pointedly that if NATO members supported the US bid for Greenland, Washington would be grateful—but if they did not, “we will remember it.”

Trump accused the alliance of not treating the United States fairly over the years and argued that American control of Greenland would, in fact, make NATO stronger rather than weaker.

According to him, such a move would not endanger the alliance’s security in any way.

“We are simply asking that Greenland be given to us,” Trump said, stressing that this demand included full ownership and sovereign rights.

He underlined that ownership was essential for defense purposes, asserting that Greenland could not be effectively protected under a lease or licensing arrangement.

“You cannot defend a place like this on rent,” he said, adding that no third country could provide credible security for the island.

Trump emphasized that he respected the people of Greenland as well as Denmark, which currently holds sovereignty over the territory.

However, he highlighted Greenland’s immense strategic value, particularly in the context of growing global rivalries.

Referring to China and Russia, he said Greenland sits at a crucial geopolitical crossroads between major powers, making it a vital strategic hub.

Once under US control, Trump argued, Greenland would significantly enhance the collective security of NATO. He rejected suggestions that the move was motivated by access to rare minerals, insisting instead that the reasons were primarily political and strategic.

At the same time, he did not clarify what kind of agreement or understanding he sought with Denmark regarding Greenland’s future.

‘Just a Piece of Ice’

In a strikingly blunt assessment, Trump recalled that after the Second World War, the United States had protected Greenland and then handed it back to Denmark.

“At that time, we were powerful,” he said, “but today we are far more powerful than we were then.”

He claimed the US had fought for Denmark over what he described as “not land, but a big piece of ice,” and called it foolish to have returned it.

“Who would want to defend a license or lease in the middle of the ocean that is basically a massive chunk of ice?” Trump asked rhetorically.

He warned that in the event of a future conflict, most military action would revolve around Greenland, with missiles flying over and across the island.

Turning his attention to Europe more broadly, Trump said the European Union should learn from the United States.

He criticized Europe’s immigration and economic policies, claiming they had caused significant damage, while the US had undergone necessary changes.

“I love Europe,” he said, but added that there were places on the continent that were now barely recognizable.

“Europe is not on the right path,” he concluded.

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