In his speech in Davos, the US president and in addition to his statements about Greenland, Trump spent an hour congratulating himself on everything he achieved in his first year in office
“I will not use force, I do not want to use force.” Donald Trump was right when he said that this would probably be the most important statement he would make in his speech at the World Economic Forum. After weeks of tension and threats, the US president assured in Davos that he does not intend to use force, but that he is available to “immediately” begin negotiating the acquisition of Greenland, a territory that he considers essential for maintaining the security of the US and the world.
“All we ask is to have ownership and sovereignty over Greenland. I can’t defend Greenland without having sovereignty,” he explained. “We’re probably not going to achieve anything unless I decide to use excessive force and violence, which would make us, frankly, unstoppable. But I’m not going to do that. Okay. Now everyone says ‘Oh, good’. That was probably the biggest statement I made, because people thought I was going to use force. I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I’m not going to use force.”
Stating that he has “immense respect for the people of Greenland and Denmark”, Donald Trump said that Denmark is not capable of guaranteeing the security of the Arctic. “No country can guarantee the security of Greenland except the USA. We are a great power. Some people only discovered this two weeks ago, with Venezuela”, added Trump, recalling that the USA had already shown its capabilities in the Second World War: he recalled that Denmark surrendered in a few hours to Germany and that it had to be America that protected Greenland and won the war. Furthermore, according to him, if it weren’t for the United States, the majority of those present in the audience “would be speaking German and, perhaps, a little Japanese”.
“When Denmark failed Greenland we felt an obligation to defend the territory”, he stressed. It was at this time that the US placed bases in Greenland for Denmark. “We fought for Denmark, we saved Greenland.” And, after victory in the war, “we returned it to Denmark. How stupid were we?”, he asked himself. “And now Denmark is ungrateful.”
“This island is actually part of North America,” he assured. “It’s part of our territory.”
“Now the world faces much greater risks,” Trump continued. “Greenland is in a strategic location” – too close to Russia and China. “Only the US can defend this great mass of ice.”
And the United States does not need Greenland because of its mineral resources or rare earths: “We need Greenland for our national and international security strategy”, assured Trump, dispelling the idea that his claim is purely economic.
“The acquisition of Greenland will not be a threat to NATO”, he reiterated. On the contrary, “it would increase your security”. Donald Trump even promised to build the “Golden Dome” on that island, in reference to an anti-missile protection system that will also defend Canada and Europe. “We care about Europe and we want Europe to be strong”, he assured.
“Greenland is a piece of ice, I’m asking for a piece of ice to guarantee the protection of the world”, Trump continued, explaining that it is “a very small request” compared to everything the US has already done for NATO. “You have two possibilities: either you say yes, and we will be very grateful, or you say no, and we will remember”, he stressed, in the form of a threat.
“The US was treated very unfairly by NATO”, he later complained. “We gave so much and got so little in return. “With all the money we spent, with all the blood, sweat and tears, and I don’t know if they would be there for us.”
And he recalled that the USA supported Ukraine, even though they were so far away. “Ukraine is a bloodbath and I want to put an end to it.” “We will be 100% with NATO, but I’m not sure they will be there for us”, said Trump, announcing that he will meet with Zelensky this Wednesday, and then clarify that this meeting will, after all, only take place on Thursday.
“Europe is not heading in the right direction”
Trump had even considered leaving Greenland out of the speech. He began by talking about the US economy and boasting about all the measures taken in this first year of his presidency – measures that, in his words, led to a drop in inflation, a reduction in the deficit and an increase in investment, in a true “economic miracle”. “People are very well and very happy”, he congratulated himself. “I never thought we could do it so quickly.”
He then took the opportunity to criticize the economic policies followed by European leaders. “I love Europe and I hope everything goes well in Europe, but they are not moving in the right direction”, he stressed, pointing out that many nations do not invest in their industry, switch to green energy and allow the population to be replaced, “importing new populations from distant lands”. “Some regions of Europe are unrecognizable.”
“This was the path that many nations foolishly followed, turning their backs on what makes nations truly rich and strong. And there is so much more potential in so many nations”, he laments. The result is economic deficit and migration. This model needs to be put an end to, he argues. Trump says he averted the US energy crisis that affected European countries that followed green energy – “perhaps the biggest hoax in history.” “You’re supposed to make money with energy, not lose it.” That’s why the model to follow is the USA, he says.
Between barbs thrown at Canada, France, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, Donald Trump only has praise for the United States. And among them is the success of Venezuela’s intervention. “Venezuela is going to do beautifully,” concluded Trump, adding that “as soon as the attack was over they came to us and asked us to make a deal. More people should do the same.” “All the big oil companies will come with us, it’s a beautiful thing to see.” The price of fuel is already decreasing. Trump believes that Venezuela will prosper and make a lot of money.
