POTUS doubles down on Greenland, says Europe ‘heading in wrong direction’

Trump at Davos: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday reiterated his demand for US control over Greenland during his address at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, sharply criticising Denmark and Europe while projecting the United States as the world’s dominant economic and military power.

Arguing that only Washington was capable of securing Greenland, Trump said, “No nation or group of nations is in any position to be able to secure Greenland, other than the United States.” He stressed that NATO allies must be able to defend their own territory, adding, “We’re a great power, much greater than people even understand.”

Add Zee Business as a Preferred Source

Trump accused Denmark of being “ungrateful” for refusing to relinquish control of Greenland, claiming the US had effectively defended the country during World War II. “If it wasn’t for us, we’d all be speaking German—and maybe a bit of Japanese,” he said.

He went on to criticise Denmark’s wartime defence, saying it “fell to Germany after just six hours of fighting” and was unable to protect Greenland. The US, he said, was then “compelled” to step in. “How stupid were we to do that?” Trump said, referring to the decision to allow Denmark to retain Greenland after the war. “But we gave it back. How ungrateful are they now?”

Trump mentioned that no country could provide it the level of security the US could, calling Greenland strategically vital, he said Washington had been trying to acquire it for two decades, warned that Russia and China were eyeing the territory, and asserted that Greenland was part of North America and belonged to the US.

The remarks have further strained ties between Washington and European allies, particularly Denmark, amid Trump’s renewed push to acquire Greenland. He has threatened tariffs ranging from 10 per cent to 25 per cent on Denmark and several other NATO partners if negotiations fail, raising concerns in Europe over trade disruptions and a widening transatlantic rift.

European leaders have signalled a united response. French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to stand up to what he called “bullies,” while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has promised an “unflinching” response to any coercive economic measures.

Trump further stated the United States would not use military force to acquire Greenland but reiterated that Washington wants to take control of the territory as soon as possible, arguing it is necessary for US defence. He also said the US remains committed to NATO and will continue to stand with the alliance, but added that America has not received returns proportional to what it has contributed to NATO.

Trump also criticised Europe’s broader economic trajectory, describing the US as “the economic engine of the planet.” “When America booms, the entire world booms. It’s been the history,” he said, linking global growth to his administration’s tariff policy and domestic economic agenda. While saying he “loves Europe,” Trump added, “It’s not heading in the right direction.”

POTUS also claimed that tariffs had helped reduce the fiscal deficit and projected US GDP growth of 5.4 per cent in the fourth quarter, as he described Europe, Japan and South Korea as key partners.

On foreign policy, he said Venezuela was a “good place” with “bad policies” but would generate more revenue in the future.

Trump arrived in Zurich earlier on Wednesday, a few hours behind schedule, after a minor electrical issue on Air Force One forced an aircraft change. He later travelled onward to Davos, where his first appearance at the forum in six years has drawn sharp attention amid rising tensions between the US and Europe.

Before leaving Washington, Trump struck a confident note, telling reporters he was heading to “a beautiful place in Switzerland” where he was “very happily awaited.” When asked how far he was willing to go to acquire Greenland from Denmark, a fellow NATO member, Trump replied, “You’ll find out.”