“We probably won't get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force where we would be, frankly, unstoppable. But I won't do that.
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Trump Claims NATO Deal for Greenland Control
January 22, 2026
President Trump announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 21, 2026 that he had "formed the framework of a future deal" on Greenland following a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and said he would not proceed with tariffs on eight European countries over the issue. He ruled out taking the territory by military force — "I won't do that" — while insisting no other country can defend Greenland and pressing for immediate negotiations. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said taking force off the table was positive but that "the president's ambition is intact." The push drew unusually direct opposition from Senate Republicans through January: Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) argued Greenland should be treated as an ally rather than an asset, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) called the demands amateurish and absurd, Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) said the idea should be dropped, and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) warned it would incinerate NATO alliances. A bipartisan delegation led by Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) and including Tillis traveled to Copenhagen in mid-January to reassure Danish and Greenlandic leaders. The expansionist push also prompted boycott discussions for World Cup 2026 and strained transatlantic relations.
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5 Statements
“Trump's demands for ownership of Greenland are amateurish and absurd.
“A Greenland takeover is a topic that should be dropped, and it would behoove the administration not to antagonize NATO allies.
“Seizing Greenland would incinerate long-standing NATO alliances and cripple efforts to contain Russian aggression toward Europe.
“Greenland is not for sale. We are talking about the people of Greenland, not to them. Every one of our strategic goals can be accomplished with Greenland as a partner rather than a possession. Taking it would be a colossal mistake — one that would end NATO and embolden autocratic regimes around the world.