Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland, Trump addressed growing international concern over his renewed push for U.S. control of Greenland, a proposal that has drawn sharp reactions from European leaders and threatened to overshadow discussions at the annual global gathering.
United States President Donald Trump has said he has no intention of using military force to acquire Greenland, warning that the U.S. would be “unstoppable” in any armed conflict with Europe over the Arctic island.
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland, Trump addressed growing international concern over his renewed push for U.S. control of Greenland, a proposal that has drawn sharp reactions from European leaders and threatened to overshadow discussions at the annual global gathering.
The WEF organisers said more than 3,000 delegates from over 130 countries are attending this year’s forum, including 64 heads of state and government, many from emerging economies, according to Al Jazeera.
However, Trump’s dramatic policy pronouncements, including his recent assertion that the U.S. could take Greenland “the easy way or the hard way,” have dominated conversations.
Trump insisted that force was not part of his plan.
“People thought I would use force. I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force,” he was quoted as saying.
He added that while the U.S. could prevail in a military confrontation, he had no desire to pursue such a path.
“Unless I decide to use excessive strength and force, where we would be, frankly, unstoppable. But I won’t do that,” the US president said.
He argued that Washington’s interest in Greenland is rooted in security considerations, claiming that the U.S. is the only country capable of protecting what he described as “this giant mass of land, this giant piece of ice,” for the benefit of both Europe and the United States.
“All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland, where we already had it as a trustee but respectfully returned it back to Denmark not long ago,” Trump said.
He added that he was seeking “immediate negotiations” to revisit the acquisition of the island.
According to Trump, U.S. control of Greenland would not pose a threat to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) but would instead strengthen collective security.
European leaders pushed back strongly against the remarks.
French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking on Tuesday, said France prefers “respect to bullies” and rejected what he described as “unacceptable” tariffs, following Trump’s threat to impose levies on countries opposing his Greenland plans.
Trump also used the forum to criticise NATO allies, accusing them of benefiting disproportionately from U.S. security commitments.
He said America’s efforts to “end wars” around the world had come at a high cost.
“What did the U.S. get out of all of this work, all this money, other than death, destruction, and massive amounts of cash going to people who don’t appreciate what we do?” he asked, specifically citing NATO and Europe.
He further argued that the war between Russia and Ukraine should primarily be Europe’s responsibility due to the continent’s proximity.
He reiterated his long-standing demand that NATO member states increase their financial contributions to the alliance.