Daijiworld Media Network - Davos

Davos, Jan 21: Speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump asserted that no country other than the United States has the capability to secure Greenland, calling the Arctic territory strategically vital for global peace and security.

Addressing world leaders and business executives, Trump said it was “stupid” that Greenland was given away in the past and claimed Denmark lacks the capacity to defend the island on its own. He also remarked that Greenland could not be protected on lease, insisting that only the US has the military and logistical strength required to safeguard the territory.

Referring to Greenland dismissively as “a piece of ice,” Trump argued that the demand for control over the island was minimal compared to its strategic importance. “What I’m asking for is a piece of ice-cold and poorly located land that can play a vital role in world peace and world protection. It’s a very small ask compared to what we have given them for many decades,” he said.

Trump ruled out the use of military force to achieve his objective, dismissing speculation about aggressive action. “People thought I would use force, but I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force,” he told the gathering in Switzerland.
However, the US President added a warning note, saying he would not forget countries that oppose his Greenland push. “You can say yes, or you can say no, and we will remember,” Trump said.

His remarks once again drew global attention to Greenland’s geopolitical importance amid growing competition in the Arctic region. NATO leaders have cautioned that Trump’s Greenland strategy could strain the alliance, while the governments of Denmark and Greenland have offered expanded avenues for increased US presence on the strategically located island of about 57,000 people.