Trump Renews Greenland Claim, Questions NATO Loyalty in Davos

U.S. President Donald Trump once again raised tensions in transatlantic relations with a speech delivered at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Trump renewed his demands over Greenland, questioned NATO’s reliability, and argued that Europe should bear greater responsibility for the war in Ukraine.

Greenland Message: Ownership Insisted, No Use of Force

Trump argued that only the United States is capable of ensuring the security of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, and said the island should come under U.S. ownership. He specifically emphasized that he would not resort to military methods in this process.

One of his clearest messages on Greenland came with the words:
“I won’t use force.”

However, Trump maintained that defending Greenland without full ownership would not be possible, arguing that lease-based or limited agreements would be insufficient. He said Washington was therefore seeking “immediate negotiations.”

Harsh Words for Denmark

Trump criticized Denmark by referring to World War II, saying the country was unable to defend either itself or Greenland and that the United States stepped in to fill that gap. He described Washington’s decision to return Greenland to Denmark as a “historic mistake” and accused Denmark of being “ungrateful” today.

NATO Commitment Questioned as Trump Presses Allies

U.S. President Donald Trump once again cast doubt on whether NATO allies would come to Washington’s defense, openly questioning the alliance’s reliability during a speech in Davos. Trump said the United States consistently stands by its allies but remains uncertain whether that commitment is fully reciprocated.

“The problem with NATO is that we’ll be there for them 100%,” Trump said, adding: “But I’m not sure that they’ll be there for us.”

His remarks come as tensions between Washington and European capitals deepen over Trump’s renewed push for U.S. ownership of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Frustrated by European resistance, Trump framed the issue as a choice with consequences, issuing what many interpreted as a pointed warning to NATO members.

“They have a choice,” he said. “You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative, or you can say no and we will remember.”

Venezuela, Canada and Switzerland in the Crosshairs

Trump praised Venezuela for cooperating with U.S. efforts following an operation targeting former President Nicolas Maduro, suggesting other countries should follow suit. He predicted a rapid economic rebound for Venezuela and claimed major oil companies were preparing to invest.

He warned Canada to be more “grateful” to the United States, saying the country depended on U.S. protection, while criticizing comments by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Trump also repeatedly took aim at Switzerland, the forum’s host, boasting about imposing high tariffs before later lowering them.

Europe ‘No Longer Recognizable’

Trump also delivered one of his harshest assessments yet of Europe’s current trajectory, saying the continent had changed for the worse due to immigration and economic policies. Addressing a hall filled with European officials, he claimed that parts of Europe were “not even recognizable” to visitors.

He blamed rising government spending, mass migration and trade policies for what he described as Europe’s decline, contrasting it with what he called an “economic miracle” in the United States under his leadership.

“I love Europe, and I want to see Europe go good,” Trump said, adding that it was “not heading in the right direction.”

Attacks on Green Energy and Wind Power

Trump again took aim at renewable energy policies, launching a lengthy critique of wind power in particular. He claimed windmills were destroying landscapes, harming wildlife and undermining economic stability across Europe.

“They killed the birds, they ruined your landscapes,” Trump said, while singling out Germany’s energy transition as a strategic mistake inherited by its current leadership.

He reiterated that his administration was dismantling wind projects in the U.S., dismissing green energy initiatives as a “green new scam.”

Domestic Bragging and Global Warnings

Turning to domestic policy, Trump boasted that tariffs and mass layoffs of federal workers had produced unprecedented economic gains, despite widespread skepticism from economists. He claimed fired government employees were now earning more in the private sector and said his trade policies were dramatically reducing the U.S. trade deficit.

Trump also revived claims about election fraud, telling the Davos audience that “people will soon be prosecuted,” without providing evidence.

On Ukraine, he struck a notably dismissive tone, arguing that Europe — not the United States — should bear primary responsibility due to geographic distance. He questioned what Washington had gained from its involvement beyond “death, destruction and massive amounts of cash.”