He ruled out using military force to capture Greenland but said “we will remember” if allies stood in his way.
“We probably won’t get anything unless we use excessive force and strength,” Mr Trump said, adding: “I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force.”
The president called Denmark “ungrateful” for America’s efforts to defend the island in the Second World War, and said that it should never have been returned to Europe when hostilities ended.
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***The Telegraph reports:***
Donald Trump called for immediate negotiations to purchase Greenland in a speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The US president said he would only accept full ownership of the “big, beautiful piece of ice”, which he said [only the US could protect](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/comment/2026/01/08/greenland-belongs-in-the-united-states/) from Russia and China.
He ruled out using military force to capture Greenland but said “we will remember” if allies stood in his way.
“We probably won’t get anything unless we use excessive force and strength,” Mr Trump said, adding: “I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force.”
After weeks of threats, Mr Trump used the speech in Davos to lay out his [full justification for acquiring Greenland](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/20/how-trump-can-take-greenland-without-firing-a-shot/), arguing that Nato owed the US for protection.
The president called Denmark “ungrateful” for America’s efforts to defend the island in the Second World War, and said that it should never have been returned to Europe when hostilities ended.
**Read more:** [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/21/trump-demands-immediate-talks-to-buy-greenland/](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/21/trump-demands-immediate-talks-to-buy-greenland/)
I think I am starting to understand Trump’s thought process on Greenland from that speech.
Since he comes from a real estate background, he is saying that owning property commits you much more than renting (which is true).
That is why he wants to own Greenland rather than just have some support contract in place.
I would fully protect my property, but one that I am renting, not so much.