Trump Revives Bid to Buy Greenland, Pressuring Denmark at Davos

Trump Revives Bid to Buy Greenland, Pressuring Denmark at Davos Former President Donald Trump has renewed his controversial push for the United States to purchase Greenland, using a major international forum to pressure Denmark and question the value of key alliances. His remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, combined a serious challenge to the NATO defense pact with an unorthodox real estate proposition [55297]. Speaking to world leaders, Trump openly questioned the utility of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), complaining that European members do not pay enough and that the U.S. is treated "very unfairly" [55327]. He then pivoted to Greenland, stating the U.S. should be allowed to acquire the vast, autonomous Arctic territory from Denmark [55297]. This is not the first time Trump has expressed interest in buying the strategically located island. His past overtures were firmly rejected, leading him to call Denmark's response "nasty" and to postpone a state visit [50444]. In his latest comments, Trump stated he does not want to use military force for the acquisition but called for immediate negotiations to buy it [55327]. Experts see the Greenland push as a pattern, where Trump conflates genuine strategic interests—the Arctic's growing importance for shipping and resources—with an expansionist, transactional approach more common in real estate than statecraft [50444]. The Danish and Greenlandic governments have consistently stated the island is not for sale [50444]. The Davos speech largely ignored traditional "soft power" diplomacy, instead emphasizing direct demands to allies and a focus on economic nationalism [55327]. Analysts note the approach reflects a broader rejection of the post-World War II international order built on alliances and rules, favoring instead a more unilateral and deal-oriented foreign policy [58552]. Trump at Davos: Questions NATO, Wants to Buy Greenland Trump at Davos: Skips Soft Power, Targets Greenland and NATO Allies Trump Eyes Greenland: Cash, Threats, and Military Force Trump's 'New Imperialism': Land Grabs and a Rejected World Order