Trump wants 'immediate negotiations' to acquire Greenland but insists he 'won't use force'
BBC News1 day
Trump Seeks Greenland Talks, Warns Europe at Davos
Does Trump’s Greenland push at Davos strengthen Western security or threaten NATO unity?
Above: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers an address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 21, 2026. Image credit: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
Trump’s Davos speech makes the strategic case for Greenland unmistakable. By seeking “immediate negotiations” while ruling out force, he reassured allies that the U.S. approach is political and economic, not coercive. He put to rest fears that the U.S. intends to divide the world into spheres of influence, showing instead that it is defending a unipolar, Western-led order against China and Russia. Even NATO chief Mark Rutte acknowledged that Trump’s leadership in the Arctic strengthens the West and protects Europe. A NATO Greenland framework shows Trump’s strategy in action.
Anti-Trump narrative
Trump’s Davos speech laid bare the U.S. under his leadership as erratic, coercive and hostile to allies. European leaders spent the session frozen in polite disbelief, as he threatened Greenland, tariffs and NATO commitments, turning diplomacy into a spectacle. France, Germany and Canada are now pushing for greater sovereignty, economic resilience and multilateral coordination to resist U.S. bullying — showing that the West must act together to preserve rules, stability and credibility in a world Trump seeks to unilaterally dominate. Step one: freezing the U.S.-EU trade deal.
Metaculus Prediction
There is a 19% chance Greenland will become independent before 2035, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
The Controversies
Establishment split
CRITICAL
PRO
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0