U.S. President Donald Trump addressed business leaders and government officials at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, outlining his perspectives on U.S.-European relations, NATO, and Greenland.
During the address, Trump said that the United States would not use military force to take control of Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of Denmark. “I won’t use force,” he said, marking the first time he explicitly ruled out military action in public remarks.
Later in the day, Trump announced on Truth Social that he had reached a “framework of a future deal” on Greenland following a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. He added that tariffs he had previously threatened to impose on European nations were no longer planned. He did not provide additional details on the arrangement. When asked if the deal met his objective of controlling Greenland, Trump described it as a “long-term deal.”
Trump reiterated his historical argument for U.S. involvement in Greenland, citing Denmark’s occupation by Germany during World War II. He described Denmark as “ungrateful” for maintaining control of the territory despite U.S. efforts during the war. Repeatedly, he misidentified Greenland as Iceland.
Trump used the platform to voice criticisms of multiple European countries and leaders. He remarked that parts of Europe are “not even recognizable” due to migration and economic policies. He commented on Switzerland’s economic relationship with the United States and referenced past tariff negotiations, saying, “Without the United States, they wouldn’t be making anything.”
Specific leaders were also targeted. French President Emmanuel Macron was mentioned in a critique of wearing sunglasses indoors, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was urged to acknowledge the United States’ contributions to Canada’s prosperity.
Trump also addressed domestic political issues during the speech. He criticized Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, referencing her constituency in Minnesota and raising concerns about electoral processes. He framed these remarks within a broader discussion of Western culture and the need to protect shared societal values between the United States and Europe.
The speech was delivered to a standing-room-only audience at the Davos forum. Observers noted that the audience responded with laughter at some jokes and applause at selected points. However, as the remarks progressed, reactions became more subdued. Some attendees left before the conclusion, particularly during extended sections on Greenland, wind energy, and U.S. domestic issues.
A recurring theme in Trump’s address was the perception that the United States plays a central role in global security and prosperity, while European nations have not fully acknowledged their reliance on U.S. support. He emphasized that the U.S. has historically intervened in European conflicts and that NATO members have obligations to defend their own territories.
Trump’s remarks on Greenland and Europe came in the ongoing transatlantic discussions regarding defense, trade, and geopolitical alignment. While he indicated that military action over Greenland is off the table, his insistence on U.S. ownership of the territory signals that negotiations on the framework deal will remain a priority.
Trump’s speech highlights both points of potential de-escalation and ongoing friction. The announcement of a Greenland framework and the suspension of threatened tariffs offer a short-term easing of tensions. However, his broader commentary on European nations, NATO, and domestic politics underscores continued unpredictability in U.S. policy.
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