US ‘won’t use force’ to take Greenland

US President Donald Trump ruled out the use of force in his bid to control Greenland yesterday, but said in a speech in Davos that no other country can secure the Danish territory.

“People thought I would use force, but I don’t have to use force,” Trump said at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Switzerland. “I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force.”

Trump made the comments in a closely-watched economic speech that has been overshadowed by fraying transatlantic ties and tensions with Europe over his push to acquire Greenland.

He downplayed the issue as a “small ask” over a “piece of ice” and that an acquisition would be no threat to the Nato alliance that includes Denmark and the United States.

“The fact is, no nation or group of nations is in any position to be able to secure Greenland other than the United States. We’re a great power, much greater than people even understand,” Trump said, adding: “I’m seeking immediate negotiations to once again to discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States.”

He took aim at Canada, saying it “should be grateful” to Washington, a day after Prime Minister Mark Carney warned of a rupture to the US-led global system.

“I watched your prime minister yesterday. He wasn’t so grateful,” Trump told of Carney’s speech. “Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements,” Trump said.

He also mocked France’s Macron at Davos for playing ‘tough’. Macron had warned at Davos on Tuesday against US attempts to “subordinate Europe”, and blasted Trump’s “unacceptable” threats to impose tariffs on allies over Greenland.

Nato leaders have warned that Trump’s Greenland strategy could upend the alliance, while the leaders of Denmark and Greenland have offered a wide array of ways for a greater US presence on the strategic island territory of 57,000 people.

“We want a piece of ice for world protection, and they won’t give it,” Trump said in his speech to a Congress Hall packed with business and political leaders.

Trump said he would meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, adding that he believed both the Ukrainian leader and Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted to end the nearly four-year-old war.

Trump said he was also dealing with Putin, and would meet with Zelensky on the sidelines of a gathering of world leaders in Davos, Switzerland.

Wall Street stocks opened higher yesterday after Trump said he wouldn’t seize Greenland with force.