US President Donald Trump has announced that he is seeking immediate negotiations to acquire Greenland, reviving a controversial proposal that has drawn sharp international reactions.
Speaking before world leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump delivered a wide-ranging address that lasted more than an hour, touching on foreign policy, trade, energy, and inflation.
Trump told delegates that while the United States could exert overwhelming pressure to achieve its aims, he insisted he would not resort to force.
“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,” he said. He added: “I don’t have to use force, I don’t want to use force, I won’t use force.”
The president’s comments reignited debate over his long-standing interest in acquiring Greenland, a Danish territory strategically located in the Arctic. His remarks overshadowed much of the speech, setting the stage for tense diplomatic exchanges in the weeks ahead.
In London, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Members of Parliament that Britain would not “yield” to pressure from Washington on the issue. His remarks underscored European resistance to Trump’s plan, which has already strained relations with Denmark and other EU partners.
Trump previously warned that he would impose a 10% tariff on goods from eight European countries that oppose the US bid for Greenland, raising fears of a new transatlantic trade dispute.
Original reporting by BBC World Service
