Crisis in the Arctic: Trump Assails Europe, Demands Control of Greenland

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND — January 21, 2026

In an extraordinary address at the World Economic Forum (WEF) today, President Donald Trump escalated his campaign to acquire Greenland, delivering a blistering rebuke to European allies while framing the annexation of the Danish territory as a necessity for "world protection."

The speech, which dominated the Davos agenda and overshadowed planned discussions on the war in Ukraine, signaled a historic rupture in the post-WWII transatlantic order.

"You Can Say Yes, or We Will Remember"

Addressing a room packed with global business and political leaders, Trump demanded "immediate negotiations" for the purchase of Greenland. While he explicitly ruled out the use of military force—calling the island a "big, beautiful piece of ice"—he replaced the threat of invasion with a promise of long-term diplomatic and economic consequences.

"All the US is asking for is a place called Greenland," Trump said. "You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative. Or you can say no, and we will remember."

He justified the demand by invoking the U.S. role in World War II, specifically the liberation of Europe. "Without us, now you'd all be speaking German, or a little Japanese perhaps," he remarked, noting that Denmark had been overrun by Germany in 1940 "after just six hours of fighting." He argued that Greenland is geographically part of North America and that Denmark’s "ungrateful" refusal to sell ignores decades of U.S. protection.

Trade War and the "Trade Bazooka"

The Davos speech follows a weekend ultimatum in which Trump threatened to impose punitive tariffs of 10% to 25% on eight European countries—including the UK, France, and Germany—unless they facilitate the "complete and total purchase" of Greenland.

The reaction from Europe has been swift and defiant:

• EU Response: The European Parliament today indefinitely suspended ratification of a major EU-U.S. trade deal reached last year. Bernd Lange, chair of the trade committee, stated that the U.S. is "undermining stability" by threatening the territorial integrity of a member state.

• The "Bazooka": French President Emmanuel Macron and other EU leaders have discussed deploying an "anti-coercion instrument," colloquially known as a trade "bazooka," to retaliate against U.S. tariffs.

• Defiance in Nuuk: Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen reiterated that the island is "not for sale," stating, "If we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark."

NATO at a Crossroads

The crisis has put unprecedented strain on NATO. Trump suggested that while the U.S. is "100% there for NATO," he is "not sure if they'd be there for us." He mocked the idea of defending the Arctic based on a "license agreement or a lease," insisting that "ownership" is the only way to secure the region against Russian and Chinese interests.

At several points during the speech, Trump appeared to confuse Greenland with Iceland, blaming "Iceland" for a recent dip in the stock market—a slide that analysts widely attribute to the very trade threats he issued over Greenland.

Domestic and Global Fallout

The administration's fixation on Greenland has drawn criticism even from within the Republican party. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) called the treatment of Denmark "demeaning," while global investors remain on edge as the prospect of a full-scale trade war with Europe looms.

As leaders depart Davos, the path forward remains unclear. With the U.S. Supreme Court currently weighing the legality of Trump's tariff powers, the "Greenland Gambit" stands as the most severe test of the Western alliance in decades.

Key Targets of Trump’s Recent Criticism (The "Greenland Eight"):

1. United Kingdom

2. Denmark

3. Norway

4. Sweden

5. France

6. Germany

7. Netherlands

8. Finland