Today's Edition
DAVOS (DPA)
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he "won't use force" to take control of Greenland before later dropping his threat to impose new tariffs on European nations over the dispute.
He still wants "immediate negotiations" over a US acquisition of the the Danish Arctic island, but talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte appear to have further eased tensions. Trump hinted at a possible agreement over Greenland which might satisfy all parties.
His speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos was highly anticipated and Trump pulled back from a position which had threatened 80 years of comparative harmony between Western allies.
"People thought I would use force, but I don't have to use force," the US president told the forum - and many in the rest of the world watching the livestream from the Swiss resort. "I don't want to use force. I won't use force."
Trump had earlier insisted the large island, thought to have mineral wealth, become part of the United States for national and global security reasons. He had refused to say whether he would rule out sending the US military to fulfil his demand.
In Davos he said he was "seeking immediate negotiations to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States."
He later posted on Truth Social following a meeting with Rutte and withdrew the tariff threats.
European NATO allies have voiced solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, even sending troops there, which had led Trump to say he would impose punitive tariffs from February 1 to pressure his opponents.
"Based upon a very productive meeting that I have had with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, we have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region," Trump wrote.
"This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations. Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the Tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1st."
Ministers from Denmark, Greenland and the US along with US Vice President JD Vance already met in Washington on the issue, but those talks yielded little results.
The Danes said a working group was being set up to find a way forward.
Trump insisted again in his Davos speech that the US needs ownership of the large
Arctic territory for the sake of international security.
"You can't defend it on a lease," Trump said.
Only the US "is in any position to be able to secure Greenland," he told the audience. "You can say yes and we will be very appreciative or you can say no
and we will remember."
Trump planned a number of meetings on Greenland during the high-profile gathering in the Swiss Alpine resort.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen reiterated that negotiations on the transfer of Greenland to the United States are out of the question for his country.
Trump also discussed other issues during his speech including domestic politics, the future of Venezuela, and green energy.
