Trump demands ‘immediate negotiations’ to acquire Greenland, but says he ‘won’t use force’
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US President Donald Trump delivering a special address during the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan 21.
PHOTO: AFP
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DAVOS, Switzerland – US President Donald Trump demanded immediate talks on acquiring Greenland in a hardline speech at Davos on Jan 21, but said that while the United States possessed “unstoppable force”, it would not use it to take the Arctic island from Denmark.
“It’s the United States alone that can protect this giant mass of land, this giant piece of ice, develop it and improve it,” Mr Trump told the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. “That’s the reason I’m seeking immediate negotiations to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States.”
Denmark has “a choice”, he said.
“You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative. Or you can say no, and we will remember. A strong and secure America means a strong NATO,” he said.
Mr Trump appeared to rule out the threat of military action against fellow NATO member Denmark, which he branded “ungrateful” and that has threatened to tear the transatlantic alliance apart.
“We probably won’t get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force where we would be, frankly, unstoppable, but I won’t do that. Okay. Now everyone’s saying, Oh, good. That’s probably the biggest statement I made, because people thought I would use force,” he said.
“I don’t have to use force,” he added. “I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force.”
Mr 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 said that an acquisition would be no threat to the NATO alliance.
“No nation or group of nations is in any position to be able to secure Greenland other than the United States,” he said.
“This would not be a threat to NATO. This would greatly enhance the security of the entire alliance,” he said.
NATO leaders have warned that Mr Trump’s Greenland strategy could upend the alliance
‘Rupture’
Mr Trump’s claims over mineral-rich Greenland have completely overshadowed the meeting in Davos, where he landed by helicopter, stepping onto a red carpet laid in the snow.
He arrived some two hours behind schedule, after an electrical issue earlier forced Air Force One to turn back to Washington and switch planes.
But in a sign of the dissent against Mr Trump, the words “No Kings” were dug into the snow overlooking mountain-fringed Davos overnight, referring to a US protest slogan
A lit-up sign put up over Davos reads “No Kings”, referring to a US protest slogan.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Europe and Canada earlier closed ranks against what they view as a threat to the US-led global order from Mr Trump’s territorial ambitions over semi-autonomous Greenland.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney warned at Davos on Jan 20 of a “rupture” to the US-led system
NATO chief Mark Rutte told Davos on Jan 21 that “thoughtful diplomacy” was needed, as Mr Trump’s claims over Greenland provoke an existential crisis for the group.
“There are these tensions at the moment, there’s no doubt,” said Mr Rutte, who has been dubbed the “Trump whisperer” for his ability to deal with the US president.
Mr Rutte also pushed back against Mr Trump after he said he doubted NATO would come to the aid of the United States if asked.
“I tell him, yes they will,” he said.
Europe ‘not heading in the right direction’
Mr Trump also hailed his policies as ushering in an American economic boom, saying his agenda offered an example for Europe to follow.
“Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of my inauguration, and today, after 12 months back in the White House, our economy is booming. Growth is exploding, productivity is surging, investment is soaring, incomes are rising. Inflation has been defeated,” he said.
The address delivered a harsh warning to Europe, suggesting the continent’s liberal governments are falling behind the US, and that leaders need to emulate his model to provide for their citizens.
“The USA is the economic engine on the planet and, when America booms, the entire world booms. It’s been the history when it goes bad, it goes bad,” Mr Trump said. “I love Europe, and I want to see Europe go good, but it’s not heading in the right direction.” AFP, REUTERS, BLOOMBERG
