Trump Greenland ultimatum: President demands Denmark surrender Arctic island at Davos

TLDR:

• President Trump ruled out using military force to acquire Greenland but issued Denmark a stark ultimatum: hand it over voluntarily or face consequences.
• He argued America deserves the Arctic island as repayment for defeating Nazi Germany, noting Denmark fell to the Nazis in just six hours.
• Mr. Trump called for “immediate negotiations” at the World Economic Forum in Davos, warning European allies “we will remember” their decision.
• The demand has sparked protests and tensions with NATO allies as European leaders scramble to coordinate a response.

President Trump delivered an ultimatum to Denmark over Greenland on Wednesday, demanding the country voluntarily surrender the Arctic territory while ruling out the use of military force to seize it.

“They have a choice: You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative, or you can say no, and we will remember,” Mr. Trump told business and government leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The president said America’s control over the Denmark-controlled island would keep Russia and China at bay and represents fair compensation for winning World War II.

“Without us, you’d all be speaking German and a little Japanese, perhaps,” Mr. Trump said, noting Denmark fell to Nazi Germany after just six hours of fighting in the 1940s.

Mr. Trump explicitly ruled out force, providing some relief to nervous European partners.

“I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force,” he said, though he maintained pressure by seeking “immediate negotiations.”

His plans are causing tension at Davos, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron scrambling to devise a coordinated response.

Read more:

• Trump in Davos: Calls for ’immediate’ talks to acquire Greenland, says ’we will remember’ a refusal