Trump renews his threat to seize Greenland, but rules out using 'force'
US President Donald Trump has once again vowed to take control of Greenland, but said he would prefer "negotiations" not "force" to acquire ownership of the autonomous island territory of Denmark.
Addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump referred to Washington's extensive interests in Greenland, saying the US is the only country that “can protect this giant mass of land, this giant piece of ice."
"The fact is, no nation or group of nations is in any position to be able to secure Greenland other than the United States. We're a great power, much greater than people even understand," he claimed.
During the speech, he repeatedly mocked European allies and called NATO not to stand in the way of US expansionism, saying every member of the military alliance is obliged to defend its own territory.
“This enormous unsecured island is actually part of North America,” Trump said. “That’s our territory."
He went on to slam Denmark as “ungrateful” for refusing to relinquish control of Greenland, arguing that the Scandinavian nation owes a debt to the United States for its defense during World War II.
Trump urged NATO to allow the US to take Greenland from Denmark and issued an extraordinary warning, saying alliance members would be appreciated if they say "yes" or we will remember them if they say "no".
Elsewhere in his remarks, the US president said the world would see how far he was willing to go on the issue of Greenland, which is of utmost importance for international security and the future of the Arctic region.