Trump says won't use force on Greenland, reiterates claim in Davos | Highlights

Trump Greenland news LIVE updates: Donald Trump speaking at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland

Trump Greenland news LIVE updates: United States President Donald Trump spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, amid pushback from European allies over his claims on Greenland. Meanwhile, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has said that Europe is ‘fully prepared’ to act over Trump's tariff threats.

The annual forum is taking place amid major disruptions across the world. Trump’s visit comes as relations between the US and its European partners remain tense over his threat to take control of Greenland, as well as the tariff threats that followed.

At the Davos summit, Trump is also expected to host a session on the “Board of Peace”, a new body intended to oversee the end of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

What did Trump say on Greenland: Key points

• In his speech at the WEF, Trump reiterated that he wants to “get Greenland, including right, title and ownership”. However, he clarified that he would not use force to do so.

• The US President highlighted Greenland's “key strategic location” between the US, Russia and China, and said America proposed to take the island territory owing to national and international security. However, Trump refuted reports that the US wanted to acquire Greenland due to its minerals.

• Trump dialled back to World War 2 during his address in Davos, saying Denmark had fallen to Germany and had been “unable to defend itself and Greenland.” While calling Denmark “ungrateful”, he said that he was asking for a “piece of ice, cold and poorly located.” “It’s a very small ask compared to what we have given them for many, many decades,” the US President said.

• The US President sought “immediate negotiations” to discuss the acquisition of Greenland, and said it would not be a threat to NATO. He said the takeover would enhance the alliance's security, while alleging that NATO had treated the US “very unfairly”.

• Trump alleged that “Europe is not heading in the right direction”, while saying that certain places in the continent were “unrecognisable.” “I love Europe, and I want to see Europe go good. But it's not heading in the right direction,” the US President said.

What is the WEF? Who are attending?

The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a think tank and event organiser based in the Swiss city of Geneva. Over time, the gathering has developed into a forum that covers topics ranging from economic inequality and climate change to technology, global cooperation, competition, and conflict.

The summit takes place at a conference centre in Davos, an Alpine town in Switzerland known for its ski resort and a population of about 10,000. It has hosted the WEF summit every January since 1971.

Organisers say a record number of almost 400 senior political figures are attending. This includes more than 60 heads of state and government, along with close to 850 chairpersons and chief executives from leading companies across the globe.

US President Trump spoke Wednesday, with several of his cabinet members and senior advisers also taking part, including secretary of state Marco Rubio, treasury secretary Scott Bessent, and special envoy Steve Witkoff.

Those attending include French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Organisers also say the event will see 55 economy and finance ministers, 33 foreign affairs ministers, 34 trade, commerce, and industry ministers, along with 11 central bank governors.

Trump vs European leaders over Greenland

A day before travelling to the World Economic Forum, Trump mocked European leaders, as he prepared to take centre stage over the future of the autonomous Danish territory.

However, leaders at the Swiss ski resort have united in response to Trump's ‘America First’ stance. French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to stand up to "bullies", while the European Union said it would deliver an "unflinching" reply.

Trump argues that Greenland, which is mineral-rich, is important for US and NATO security against Russia and China.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that Trump could push relations between the US and the European Union into a "downward spiral".

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has tried to limit his country’s reliance on Washington after Trump suggested it should become the 51st US state, received a standing ovation at Davos for his position.