Trump demands ‘immediate negotiations’ to acquire Greenland
Trump says he won't use force to acquire Greenland
While speaking at the at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Wednesday, President Trump said he won’t use force to acquire Greenland.
President Donald Trump made clear Wednesday during his remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that he is seeking negotiations to acquire Greenland.
Here’s the latest:
Trump Greenland comments
What they're saying:
"I’m seeking immediate negotiations to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States," Trump said.
"This enormous unsecured island is actually part of North America," he added. "That’s our territory," though saying he wouldn't use force to acquire Greenland.
Trump also proclaimed that, "When America booms the whole world booms," and, "You all follow us down and you follow us up."
The backstory:
Trump has insisted for months that the U.S. should control Greenland, and said over the weekend that anything less than the Arctic island being in U.S. hands would be "unacceptable."
Over the weekend, he also said he’ll charge a 10% import tax starting in February on goods from eight European countries that oppose U.S. control of Greenland.
RELATED: Greenland latest: Trump charging tariff to 8 European countries
Why does Trump want Greenland?
Big picture view:
Greenland's strategic location above the Arctic Circle makes it a focal point in global security and trade debates.
Dig deeper:
The island is a semiautonomous territory of Denmark, a longtime U.S. ally and a founding member of NATO. It is also home to a large U.S. military base.
The land is rich in valuable rare earth minerals, such as uranium, as well as billions of untapped barrels of oil and a vast supply of natural gas.
And, on a global scale, Greenland will be an increasing focal point through the 21st century, experts say, because of the effect its melting ice will have on sea levels.
What they're saying:
"We need it for strategic national security and international security," Trump said in his remarks in Switzerland on Wednesday.
US President Donald Trump delivers a special address during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2026. The World Economic Forum takes place in Davos from January 19 to January 23, 2026. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via
Greenland population
By the numbers:
The island, 80% of which lies above the Arctic Circle, is home to about 56,000 mostly Inuit people.
The Source: Information in this article was taken from President Trump’s remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davis, Switzerland, on Jan. 21, 2026. Background information was taken from previous FOX Television Stations reportings and The Associated Press. This story was reported from Detroit.