Davos, Switzerland. President Donald Trump is expected to arrive at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, where he is likely to intensify his push to acquire Greenland despite European protests. The visit comes as transatlantic ties face their biggest strain in decades.
Arrival delayed after aircraft issue
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday that Trump’s arrival in Davos, where he is due to address world leaders, would be delayed by about three hours. Trump changed aircraft on Tuesday night after the crew identified what the White House called a “minor electrical issue” shortly after takeoff.
Greenland talks planned in Davos
Trump told a news conference on Tuesday that he would have meetings in Davos about the Danish territory of Greenland and said he was optimistic that an agreement could eventually be made.
“I think we will work something out where NATO is going to be very happy and where we’re going to be very happy. But we need it for security purposes. We need it for national security,” he said.
Asked how far he is willing to go to acquire Greenland, Trump responded, “You’ll find out,” he said.
Security arguments and trade threats
In the days leading up to his Davos visit, Trump has argued that “we need Greenland” as an Arctic security guardpost against Russia and China, and he has threatened a trade war with Europeans who oppose him.
Broader foreign policy moves and military option
Emboldened by his ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and seizing control of that country’s oil, Trump has talked of acting against Cuba and Colombia as well as Iran. He has not ruled out the use of the U.S. military to take Greenland, which has an American military base.
Legacy goal and NATO concerns
Sources familiar with the situation have previously told Reuters that Trump’s push on Greenland is related to a legacy-building desire to expand the territory of the United States in the biggest way since 1959, when Alaska and Hawaii became the 49th and 50th U.S. states under Republican President Dwight Eisenhower.
NATO leaders have warned that Trump’s Greenland strategy could upend the alliance. Trump has linked Greenland to his anger at not receiving a Nobel Peace Prize.
What impact could Trump’s Greenland push have on NATO and relations with European allies?
