Key points
- He calls Greenland vital for U.S. security and national defence.
- European leaders express opposition, straining transatlantic ties at Davos.
- Trump will also spotlight U.S. economy and housing cost plan.
- He released Macron’s private message criticizing Greenland push in breach
DAVOS, Switzerland: Donald Trump arrived at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday vowing to push ahead with his controversial bid to acquire Greenland, defying open resistance from European leaders and deepening strains in transatlantic relations as the annual gathering gets under way.
Trump, who just completed his first year back in office, is expected to dominate discussions in the Alpine resort usually focused on global economic trends.
At a Tuesday news conference ahead of his trip, Trump said he planned meetings in Davos specifically about the Danish territory. He expressed optimism that “we will work something out where NATO is going to be very happy and where we’re going to be very happy,” adding that the island was needed for security and national defence. When asked how far he was willing to go to acquire Greenland, Trump offered a cryptic response: “You’ll find out.”
Trump has been relentless in arguing that the United States needs Greenland as an Arctic security outpost against Russia and China, and he threatened a trade war with Europeans who oppose his plan. His statements have amplified worries that his Greenland push could upend long-standing NATO cooperation and provoke deep diplomatic rifts.
In a breach of diplomatic norms, Trump released the text of a private message from French President Emmanuel Macron criticizing his Greenland ambitions. Macron had urged Trump to join other G7 leaders in Paris after Davos, writing that he did not understand Trump’s actions on Greenland.
Denmark and Greenland have offered ways to increase U.S. presence on the island, but these proposals have not satisfied Trump, who even posted on social media a doctored image of himself planting an American flag on the territory, home to about 57,000 people.
Trump to highlight U.S. economy at Davos
Trump’s original purpose for attending the forum was to spotlight the strength of the U.S. economy. In a keynote speech scheduled for Wednesday, he said he would discuss economic successes at home despite opinion polls showing broad public unhappiness with his handling of the economy.
The White House said Trump plans to address rising housing costs with a proposal allowing Americans to use funds from their 401(k)-retirement savings for home down payments. “President Trump will unveil initiatives to drive down housing costs, tout his economic agenda … and emphasize that the United States and Europe must leave behind economic stagnation,” according to a White House official.
