President Donald Trump used the global stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday to double down on Greenland, calling it a core U.S. national security interest and signaling he will not back away.
Trump framed Greenland as a strategic vulnerability for the Western alliance and stressed that only the United States is capable of defending it in an era of advanced missile systems, nuclear threats, and great-power competition.
"No nation or group of nations is in a position to secure Greenland other than the United States," Trump told business and political leaders in Davos.
Trump Wants Acquisition Of Greenland, Not Lease
Trump made clear that Washington is seeking full ownership of Greenland, rejecting the idea of a lease or limited defense agreement.
"You can't defend it on a lease," Trump said. "Legally and psychologically, ownership matters."
Trump described Greenland as a critical geographic choke point, positioned between the United States, Russia and China, and therefore central to both American and allied defense planning.
Trump rejected arguments that the push is driven by Greenland's mineral resources, saying the real priority is military positioning and hemispheric defense. "This is about security, not mining," he said.
He described the island as a critical geographic choke point — situated between the United States, Russia, and China — and therefore central to American and allied defense.
Trump tied Greenland directly to missile defense, arguing the territory would host what he described as "the greatest golden dome ever built."
He said the system would serve as a strategic shield against advanced missile threats, protect not only the United States but also Canada, and reinforce NATO's northern defenses.
According to Trump, full ownership — not leases or basing agreements — is essential, warning that in a future conflict, missile trajectories would place Greenland at the center of any defensive architecture.
A Core National Security Interest
Trump cited World War II as a historical precedent, noting that U.S. forces established and defended bases in Greenland after Denmark fell to Nazi Germany, preventing adversaries from gaining a foothold in the Western Hemisphere.
Trump said the U.S. returned Greenland after the war despite its strategic value.
"This enormous unsecured island is part of North America, on the northern frontier of the Western Hemisphere. It is therefore a core national security interest of the United States of America."
"I am seeking immediate negotiations to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States.".
"We want a piece of ice for world protection," Trump said, calling it a modest request relative to decades of U.S. military and financial support for European security.
“You can say yes and we will be very appreciative. Or you can say no and we will remember,” Trump warned Europe.
Still, Trump ruled out using “excessive strength and force” to obtain Greenland.
Denmark, NATO And Burden-Sharing
Asked by Børge Brende,current president of the World Economic Forum, what kind of deal he ultimately envisions between the United States and Denmark, Trump suggested negotiations are already implicit, and that cost and security realities favor Washington.
"It's costing Denmark hundreds of millions a year to run it. Denmark's a small country and wonderful people, but it's very expensive."
Trump criticized Denmark for failing to invest in Greenland's defense despite prior commitments.
"They didn't spend the money. They didn't spend anything almost," he said. "We'll see what happens."
He also broadened the issue to NATO burden-sharing, reiterating long-standing grievances about U.S. contributions to the alliance.
"NATO has treated the United States of America very unfairly. We were never asked for anything, and we never got anything," Trump said.
Trump added that U.S. leadership has been decisive in preventing wider conflict in Europe. "We're helping them with Ukraine. Without us, I think Putin would have gone all the way," he said.
Market Reactions
U.S. equities rebounded Wednesday following Tuesday's selloff, with major indexes climbing in mid-morning New York trading. The S&P 500 advanced 0.8%, while small-cap stocks outperformed, pushing the Russell 2000 up 1.2%.
Energy-led sector gains, with the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:XLE) jumping 2.5%.
Among mega-cap names, Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:INTC) stood out as the session's top performer.
Image via Maxim Elramsisy/Shutterstock
