What’s more, during his speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, President Donald Trump dropped a bombshell. Active negotiations for the purchase of Greenland from Denmark have already begun, he disclosed. The U.S. President seems to have wanted any prospective deal to include a commitment to forgo the use of military force. He continues to work for a peaceful settlement to the taking. Trump indicated that the framework for a deal is “pretty far along.” This represents a major step forward in sometimes contentious negotiations that will have serious, meaningful implications for our national and international security.
Following his interest in acquiring Greenland, the former president highlighted the territory’s strategic military importance. He praised its valuable mineral rights and the planned Golden Dome missile defense system. He said the proposed deal could be in effect “forever,” which would entail a long-term commitment to U.S. interests in the region. The President, for his part, was buoyant about the negotiations still underway at the time, promising them to produce “all the things we needed to get.”
Trump’s comments came amid broader discussions on security concerns in the Arctic, where he reiterated the U.S.’s military presence. More than 100 U.S. military personnel are already deployed to the Pituffik base, which began as a small site of U.S. military presence in northwestern Greenland. With current agreements with Denmark, the U.S. can deploy any number of troops.
The President announced the leadership team who will be at the Administration’s negotiating table. He announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff would be reporting directly to him as the talks continue. That all points to a high level of attention and coordination from the Trump administration to achieve the desired terms of agreement.
Among his various statements, Trump criticized French President Emmanuel Macron for perceived grievances against the U.S., accusing France of “screwing” America for decades. He went after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who, just a week earlier, had urged other middle powers to join together to stand up to their bigger brethren. Trump characterized Carney’s remarks as ungrateful, asserting that “Canada lives because of the United States,” and warned him to consider his statements carefully in the future.
The President’s plan involves the worst kind of tariff intimidation in order to strong-arm Denmark into the discussion. Most recently, he threatened to slap a 10% tariff on all goods sent from the UK to the U.S. beginning February 1. Should an agreement for Greenland not be obtained, the tariff will increase to 25% in June.
Trump emphasized his preference for diplomacy over military action, stating, “I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force.” He indicated a willingness to pursue aggressive strategies if necessary, mentioning that without such measures, “we probably won’t get anything.”
Lars Løkke Rasmussen, a key Danish political figure, responded to Trump’s comments by affirming the need for dialogue that respects Denmark’s sovereignty while addressing American security concerns in the Arctic. He stated, “Now, let’s sit down and find out how we can address the American security concerns in the Arctic while respecting the red lines of the Kingdom of Denmark.” Rasmussen’s quote highlights the artful practice of keeping the right counterbalance in a complex and large scale deal—as this one certainly will be.
These latest claims by Trump help expose his deeper strategery. With the current global competition for resources and strategic positioning heating up, he seeks to reinforce U.S. presence and influence in the Arctic now more than ever. The President concluded his address with optimism about the potential deal’s benefits, stating, “This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America and all NATO Nations.”