Davos (Switzerland) [India], January 22 (HBTV): US President Donald Trump on Wednesday asserted that he would not use force to acquire Greenland, marking his clearest statement yet ruling out military action even as he pressed for US control of the Arctic island during an address at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.
Trump said speculation about the possible use of military power had prompted his remarks. ‘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. I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force,’ he said.
Reiterating his demand for control of Greenland, Trump said the United States was seeking full ownership rather than an expanded agreement. ‘All we’re asking for is to get Greenland, including right title and ownership, because you need the ownership to defend it. You can’t defend it on a lease,’ he said.
Calling for talks with European allies, Trump urged ‘immediate negotiations’ on a potential US acquisition of Greenland, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark, a NATO member. Laying out what he described as the strategic rationale, he said only the United States could protect and develop the island. ‘It’s the United States alone that can protect this giant mass of land, develop it and make it good for Europe and safe for Europe and good for us,’ he said.
Trump argued that US control of Greenland would strengthen the NATO alliance and would not pose a threat to it. ‘This would greatly enhance the security of the entire alliance,’ he said, while again claiming that the United States had been ‘treated very unfairly by NATO’. He added that no other nation or group of nations was in a position to secure Greenland.
He also criticised Denmark, linking his remarks to World War II-era events. Trump said Denmark had been unable to defend either itself or Greenland during the war, forcing the United States to step in. Expressing regret over the US decision to allow Denmark to retain Greenland after the conflict, he questioned that choice and described Denmark’s current stance as ungrateful.
Trump’s remarks came as Greenland remained a central topic in diplomatic discussions at Davos, with his push to acquire the territory opening one of the most serious rifts between Washington and its western allies in decades. He said he planned to hold several meetings on Greenland during the summit.
Asked how far he was prepared to go to acquire Greenland from Denmark, Trump told reporters, ‘You’ll find out.’ Responding to the tensions, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday that ‘thoughtful diplomacy’ was needed within the alliance. France also called for a NATO exercise in Greenland and said it was ready to contribute, according to the French presidency. Greenland’s prime minister said earlier this week that the island’s population of around 57,000 must be prepared for the possibility of military force.
Trump’s appearance at Davos followed a delayed arrival in Switzerland after Air Force One was forced to turn back shortly after takeoff due to a minor electrical issue, requiring an aircraft change. He later landed in Zurich before travelling to Davos, where his engagement with global leaders was closely watched amid growing pushback over his bid to acquire mineral-rich Greenland, a move critics say could disrupt the global order.
(ANI)