Trump calls Denmark ‘just a big ice cube,’ says US needs Greenland for national security

DAVOS: US President Donald Trump sparked attention at the World Economic Forum in Davos, calling Denmark “just a big piece of ice” and highlighting the strategic importance of Greenland.

Trump said the US had previously fought for Denmark only for Greenland to be “returned” to the Danes, calling the situation “foolish” and accusing Denmark of being “ungrateful.” He emphasised that Greenland occupies a critical strategic position between Russia and China and is currently undefended, making it important for US national security.

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

He expressed a desire to hold immediate talks to acquire Greenland, asserting that doing so would strengthen NATO’s defence rather than threaten it. Trump criticised the alliance, saying the US contributes a lot while receiving little in return. “I want to develop this big ice chunk, make it stronger, and use it for the defence of the world,” he said.

Trump also claimed that no other NATO leader has provided as much support as he has, pointing to the Ukraine war as an example of the importance of strong US involvement. He added that the 2020 US elections would have prevented the war from starting if they had been transparent, and hinted that some individuals involved in the “fraudulent” election would face legal consequences.

Speaking of the European allies, Trump said, “We need good allies, and we want Europe as our ally”. But criticising the Schengen countries for not agreeing with him on the Greenland deadlock, Trump accused European countries, including US allies. Regarding this, he slammed them for being insolent, disloyal, and misguided in areas ranging from energy and the environment to immigration and geopolitics.

But NATO leaders have warned that Trump’s Greenland strategy could disrupt alliance cohesion, while Denmark and Greenland have proposed various ways to increase US presence on the island, which is home to around 57,000 people.