Trump Reiterates Desire for Greenland Ahead of Davos Forum, Claims Credit for NATO’s Survival
U.S. President Donald Trump has once again expressed strong interest in acquiring Greenland, the vast Danish autonomous territory, insisting that Denmark cannot adequately protect or manage it.
Speaking to reporters on January 19, 2026, before boarding Air Force One after attending the college football playoff final in Miami, Trump said: “The Danish people are wonderful, but they cannot protect Greenland and do not go there. We need Greenland.”
He added: “Just because a ship went there and left 500 years ago does not mean they can claim ownership of Greenland.”
Trump is scheduled to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, starting January 21, 2026, for two days. He will deliver a special address and hold meetings with European leaders, which analysts describe as a potential “turning point” for the Greenland issue.
“I have a lot to say,” Trump told reporters. “This Davos Forum will be very interesting.”
Addressing the Danish government’s repeated rejection of U.S. interest in purchasing or controlling Greenland, Trump praised the Danish people and their leaders but maintained: “Denmark cannot protect Greenland.”
The remarks revive a controversial proposal Trump first floated during his previous term, which sparked diplomatic tensions with Denmark and drew global attention.
Amid concerns that the longstanding U.S.-Europe “Atlantic Alliance” — a cornerstone of the post-war liberal order — may be at a crossroads over the Greenland question, Trump defended his record on NATO.
“I have done more for NATO than anyone else,” he declared. “I think NATO exists today because of me.”
The U.S. has strategic interests in Greenland, including the Thule Air Base, a critical Arctic outpost for missile defense and space surveillance. The island’s vast mineral resources and strategic Arctic position have also fueled renewed geopolitical interest.
Trump’s comments come as he prepares for high-level engagements in Davos, where he is expected to meet several European leaders amid heightened tensions over trade, security, and territorial claims.
The Danish government has consistently maintained that Greenland is not for sale, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen previously describing the idea as “absurd.” No official response from Denmark has been issued following Trump’s latest remarks.
