Davos, Switzerland – In a lengthy and wide-ranging speech at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting on January 21, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump explicitly stated that the United States would not use military force to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory under Danish sovereignty. The declaration came amid heightened tensions with European allies over the president's persistent interest in U.S. control of the strategically vital Arctic island.
Trump's remarks aimed to calm concerns in Europe and beyond, following weeks of speculation and earlier statements in which he had refused to rule out forceful options. Addressing world leaders, business executives, and dignitaries in the Swiss Alps, Trump emphasized negotiation over coercion while reiterating his long-standing desire for the United States to gain ownership or significant influence over Greenland.
"That's probably the biggest statement I made, because people thought I would use force," Trump said, referring to his previous comments where he would not "rule out" military action. "I don't have to use force. I don't want to use force. I won't use force. All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland."
The president framed the request as modest and rooted in national security imperatives. He argued that Greenland's location makes it essential for protecting North America and the broader Western alliance from potential threats, particularly in the Arctic region where Russia and China have increased their activities. Trump highlighted historical U.S. involvement, noting that American forces had been stationed there during World War II and the Cold War to secure the territory against external aggression.
He pointed out that no other nation or group of nations could adequately defend Greenland, positioning the U.S. as the only viable guarantor of its security. "The fact is, no nation, or group of nations, is in any position to be able to secure Greenland other than the United States," Trump asserted. He called for "immediate negotiations" to discuss acquisition, drawing parallels to past U.S. territorial expansions.
The speech also included pointed criticism of NATO, the transatlantic military alliance that includes Denmark. Trump accused allies of underinvesting in defense and failing to appreciate U.S. contributions. "We give so much, and we get so little in return," he said. "The United States only gets death, disruption, and massive amounts of cash given to people who don’t appreciate what we do." He extended this critique to Europe more broadly, claiming the U.S. had received "nothing out of NATO" beyond the burden of protecting the continent from Russian aggression.
Spotting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the audience, Trump acknowledged the Dutch leader's earlier complimentary remarks about pressure to increase military spending among members. Rutte had praised Trump's approach for pushing allies toward greater burden-sharing. Trump used the moment to underscore his point, suggesting that without U.S. leverage, allies would not meet their commitments.
In a notable aside, Trump claimed the U.S. would be "unstoppable" if it chose to employ "excessive strength and force," but he immediately reiterated his commitment to peaceful means. "We won’t get anything unless I use excessive strength and force, when we would be unstoppable. I won’t use force."
The Greenland issue has dominated discussions at Davos this year, overshadowing traditional topics like economic growth and climate change. Trump's renewed push for the territory—first floated during his earlier presidency—has sparked outrage in Denmark and Greenland, where leaders have firmly rejected any transfer of sovereignty. Greenland's prime minister has emphasized the island's right to self-determination, while Danish officials have stressed respect for international law and territorial integrity.
Analysts noted that Trump's explicit renunciation of force represented a de-escalation. Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group, described the speech as containing little new beyond the pledge not to use military means. "There's nothing new in Donald Trump’s speech to Davos apart from the pledge not to use force against Greenland—which he says was 'never on the table' anyway," Bremmer observed. He suggested the statement was more about optics than a genuine shift in policy, given that forceful acquisition of a NATO ally's territory had always been improbable.
Hours after the address, Trump announced on Truth Social that he had reached a "framework of a future deal" with respect to Greenland following a meeting with Rutte. He also withdrew threats of tariffs on European nations that had resisted his demands, scheduled to take effect in February. Details of the framework remained vague, with no public confirmation from NATO or Denmark on sovereignty changes. Rutte described the discussion as productive but focused on Arctic security rather than outright ownership transfer. Some reports indicated potential U.S. access to bases or resources in exchange for enhanced NATO commitments in the region.
The developments have eased immediate market concerns, with European stocks rebounding slightly amid reduced fears of transatlantic trade disruptions. However, uncertainty lingers over the long-term implications for U.S.-European relations. Allies remain wary of Trump's transactional approach to alliances, while the president has framed the Greenland push as essential for countering great-power competition in the Arctic.
Trump's Davos appearance underscored his "America First" foreign policy, blending bravado with strategic concessions. By ruling out force while maintaining pressure through negotiation and economic leverage, he positioned the U.S. as both indispensable and demanding. Whether this leads to a substantive agreement—or further friction—will depend on upcoming talks involving Denmark, Greenlandic authorities, and NATO members.
As the forum continues through the week, the Greenland saga has highlighted shifting dynamics in global security, where climate change is opening new Arctic routes and resources, intensifying competition among major powers. Trump's speech, clocking in at over an hour, served as a reminder of his unpredictable style: bold claims tempered by last-minute pivots to de-escalate.
European leaders, while relieved by the no-force pledge, expressed caution. Denmark's foreign minister called the statement positive but reaffirmed commitment to diplomatic channels. Greenlandic voices emphasized self-determination, rejecting external imposition.
In the broader context, the episode reflects ongoing strains within NATO, where Trump's calls for higher defense spending have yielded results but also resentment. His Davos remarks balanced reassurance with reminders of U.S. leverage, leaving allies to ponder the future of the transatlantic partnership under his leadership.
