Trump Tells Europe to Hand Over Greenland, But Rules Out Force

US President Donald Trump delivers an address in Davos on Jan. 21.Photographer: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Hadriana Lowenkron

January 21, 2026 at 2:51 PM UTC

Updated on

January 21, 2026 at 6:50 PM UTC

President Donald Trump upped the pressure on Europe to cede control of Greenland or face the consequences, saying that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization owes it to the US to grant it full rights to the Arctic island.

In a speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday after prompting days of transatlantic tensions over his plans, Trump said that he was seeking “immediate negotiations” on acquiring the sovereign Danish territory for national security reasons.