Trump’s Greenland Push Draws Tough Reception at Davos
U.S. President Donald Trump used the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos to intensify his controversial push for control of Greenland, drawing firm pushback from European leaders and allies over the strategic Arctic territory.
President Trump said that the United States needs Greenland for national security reasons, specifically to counter Russia and China. He indicated he expects talks with European and NATO partners during his Davos visit to yield progress on U.S. aims, though critics say his approach risks undermining alliance unity.
Trump’s remarks came after he delayed his Davos arrival due to a minor aircraft issue. Once on the ground, he told reporters he hopes to work out an agreement with NATO allies that satisfies all sides but did not rule out more forceful options, offering a cryptic reply when asked how far he was willing to go on Greenland.
European officials have publicly resisted Trump’s framing of U.S. control of Greenland as necessary. Danish and other European leaders have reiterated that Greenland, an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, is not for sale and must decide its own future. Macron of France, among others, has questioned the U.S. strategy, underscoring allied concerns.
NATO Strains and Arctic Security
Trump’s push for Greenland is rooted in broader geopolitical concerns about Russia and China’s influence in the Arctic. The island’s strategic location and existing U.S. military presence have made it a focus of U.S. defense policy discussions.
However, NATO officials warn that Trump’s hardline rhetoric and threats of punitive trade measures could fray ties within the alliance. European capitals are reportedly preparing options to push back, including economic countermeasures.
Leaders of Denmark and Greenland have offered alternatives to outright U.S. control that would expand American security roles on the island without ceding sovereignty. Those proposals have yet to satisfy the White House.
Broader Davos Agenda and U.S. Policy
Trump’s original agenda at the summit included touting U.S. economic achievements and unveiling a domestic housing initiative. He is also scheduled to meet leaders from Switzerland, Poland, and Egypt and preside over a ceremony for a new Board of Peace group aimed at global reconstruction efforts.
The Greenland issue has become a focal point of the summit, overshadowing economic discussions and highlighting deep differences between the U.S. and European allies on defense priorities and transatlantic cooperation.
What Comes Next
Trump is expected to return to Washington after Davos with the Greenland debate unresolved. European resistance shows that consensus on the island’s future remains distant, and NATO cohesion faces renewed stress as Arctic security takes center stage in transatlantic policy discussions.
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