Trump Tells European Leaders "Greenland Is Our Territory"... Urges Immediate Negotiations, Rules Out Use of Force (Comprehensive)

Trump Delivers Special Address at Davos Forum
"Only the U.S. Can Protect Greenland... It Is Our Territory"

President Donald Trump of the United States has publicly urged Europe to transfer Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, to the United States, claiming it as "our territory." In front of European leaders who oppose the U.S. annexation of Greenland, he openly expressed his ambition to secure the territory, stating his intention to immediately pursue negotiations. However, he dismissed the possibility of using military force to acquire Greenland. This move appears to be an attempt to avoid a full-blown escalation of conflict, considering strong European opposition and concerns about a rift in the transatlantic alliance, while still leaving room for negotiation and adjusting the level of tension.

Donald Trump, President of the United States. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Trump: "Immediate Negotiations to Secure Greenland... Do Not Want to Use Force"

On January 21 (local time), during a special address at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, President Trump stated, "Only the United States can protect this vast landmass, this enormous block of ice."

He emphasized, "We can develop and improve Greenland to make it beneficial and safe for Europe, which also benefits the United States. This is why I am immediately pursuing negotiations to discuss the issue of the United States reclaiming Greenland." He further insisted on the need for complete control over Greenland, stating, "Ownership is necessary for defense."

President Trump said that the U.S. request to transfer Greenland is merely a "small ask" compared to the security support the United States has provided to NATO member states for decades. He remarked, "What I am asking for is just a cold, poorly located piece of ice that can play a crucial role in world peace and security."

He also highlighted that Greenland would become a key strategic base for the construction of the United States' next-generation missile defense network, the "Golden Dome." President Trump argued, "Greenland is a strategic outpost between the United States, Russia, and China, yet it is sparsely populated, undeveloped, and undefended-a vast territory." He added, "We will build the greatest Golden Dome in history, and it will defend all the way to Canada and Europe."

Furthermore, President Trump escalated his claims by asserting sovereignty over Greenland. He stated, "This vast and poorly defended island is, in fact, part of North America on the northern front of the Western Hemisphere. It is our territory."

His remarks about "immediate negotiations" are interpreted as an intention to prepare concrete proposals for the annexation of Greenland. Previously, in 1946, then-President Harry Truman secretly offered to purchase Greenland for 100 million dollars, but the proposal was rejected by Denmark.

However, President Trump denied the possibility of using military force to secure Greenland. He said, "People thought I would use force, but there is no need for that. I do not want to use force, and I will not use it." Unlike previous statements in which President Trump announced tariffs on eight European countries opposing the U.S. annexation of Greenland and some aides even mentioned military options, this time he appears to be lowering the level of conflict to avoid repercussions for the transatlantic alliance, while still leaving room for negotiation.

"They Don't Know How to Be Grateful"-Expressing Discontent with Denmark and NATO..."Europe Bears Primary Responsibility for Supporting Ukraine"

Throughout his speech, President Trump did not hold back his criticism of Europe and NATO. Referring to World War II, he mentioned that the United States protected Greenland to prevent hostile forces from gaining a foothold, and added, "After the war, we returned Greenland to Denmark, but that was a foolish act. They do not know how to be grateful now," directly criticizing Denmark for opposing the U.S. annexation of Greenland.

Regarding the U.S. defense commitment to NATO, President Trump also hinted that he would take Europe's response to the Greenland issue into account. He said, "You can say 'yes,' and we will appreciate it. You can also say 'no,' but we will remember that."

President Trump repeatedly emphasized that he corrected the "security freeloading" of NATO member states and led to an increase in defense cost sharing. He stated, "Before I took office, NATO was supposed to contribute only 2% of their GDP, but most countries did not meet this, and the United States was effectively covering 100%. I made NATO contribute 5% of their GDP, and now they are paying."

He also made it clear that Europe bears the primary responsibility for supporting Ukraine in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war.

He said, "We are thousands of miles away, separated by a vast ocean. This war is one that Europe, not the United States, should take far more responsibility for." He added, "We have nothing to do with that war."

President Trump stated that both Russian and Ukrainian leaders want a ceasefire agreement, and announced that he planned to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine that day. He emphasized, "Too many people are losing their lives needlessly, and that is why the war must stop. This is the only reason I am interested in this issue."