US President Donald Trump renewed his claim to make Greenland part of the USA during his appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The island is in a “key position” and can only be defended by the USA and is therefore important for “national security,” he said on Wednesday afternoon. However, Trump said he “doesn’t have to use force”; the territory can also be “purchased”.
Not everything, but almost everything, at this year’s World Economic Forum in Switzerland revolves around the US President. There are also interesting panel discussions about artificial intelligence, energy policy and world trade, but what seemed more important on Wednesday was: When will the helicopter land with Trump on board, when will he give his speech, what will his next attack on the current world order look like?
The central point of the congress is currently logical: Greenland. The autocrat from Washington claims the largest island in the world, which belongs to the EU and NATO state Denmark. Trump is threatening Germany, France, Great Britain and other countries that protest against this with additional punitive tariffs on imports into the USA from February 1st. Before leaving for Davos, Trump said he would hold talks about Greenland in the Swiss ski resort and was optimistic about reaching an agreement with European NATO partners.
In the evening, Trump announced on his social network Truth Social that an agreement had been reached. However, he did not give any specific details.
Long-winded self-praise
In his lengthy, meandering speech brimming with self-praise, the US President declared that no other power in the world should have the opportunity to invade the “Western Hemisphere”: “That’s good for us, that’s good for Europe.” This claim does not represent a threat to NATO.
Of course, Trump said, the other states could say no to this request. “But we’ll remember that.”
“We didn’t get anything from NATO,” Trump repeated again and again in his 90-minute speech, “we always just paid.” In return, “we just want Greenland now.” This is also necessary so that the USA can build a “Golden Dome”, a missile defense system, there. This would also defend Canada. Of course, Trump said, the other states could say “no” to this request. “But we’ll remember that,” Trump said.
The reactions of NATO and EU states to such announcements range between rejection of US claims, pleas for their own strength, and offers to negotiate. Currently, French President Emmanuel Macron has the role of leading this counter-strategy against Trump’s threats. Together with other European states, he not only sent an initial delegation of elite soldiers to Greenland as a signal that Europe is serious about strengthening Greenland. Macron also announced reinforcements with troops from all branches of the armed forces.
SMS among “friends”
A text message from Macron to Trump – which the US President then exposed his colleague on Tuesday by publishing – again sounded conciliatory: “Friends” should be able to talk to each other without threatening punitive tariffs if there are differences. Macron had suggested a G7 summit in Paris for Thursday. And to make it sound friendly, there was an invitation to dinner at the Élysée Palace before Trump’s return flight – although neither of these will likely happen now.
Macron’s friendly text message tone contrasts with his advances in the EU. He suggests that the EU should activate the anti-coercion instrument (ACI), the “bazooka”. If necessary, this could, for example, prevent the import of certain US products into the EU.
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte did not want to publicly comment on the tensions in Davos. However, Trump and other leaders are right that more needs to be done to protect the Arctic from Russian and Chinese influence, Rutte said. “We are working on this and ensuring that we defend the Arctic region together.”
“Totally stupid”
In Davos, several US governors expressed concern about their president’s claims to ownership. “The Greenland move is completely stupid,” said Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky. Within a year, President Trump transformed the United States from leader of the free world to a “schoolyard bully.” The Americans are against taking over Greenland.
Trump dedicated large passages of the speech to his actual or perceived successes. “Inflation has been defeated,” he claimed. However, in 2025 it was actually 2.8 percent in the USA, while it was only 2.1 percent in the euro area. Economic growth was higher than “any country has ever seen.” In fact it was 1.9 percent. China achieved 5 percent. In his home country, “people are very happy with me,” believes the president. New steel factories are being built everywhere and he has thrown 270,000 “bureaucrats” out of public service. For every new law, 100 old ones would be abolished. Gasoline prices are falling because much more oil is being produced than before.
“I was very smart,” Trump said. He recommended that Great Britain also rely on oil: there would still be natural gas and oil under the North Sea “for 500 years”. And “windmills,” Trump said, meaning wind turbines: They are only for “losers.”