Greenland Will Remain Independent, Asserts Former Trump Adviser Gary Cohn

Thu Jan 22 2026 03:01:06 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Gary Cohn, former economic advisor to Donald Trump, emphasizes that Greenland will continue to be its own entity, despite Trump's interest in the territory's resources.

In a recent interview, Gary Cohn, former director of the White House National Economic Council, stated that Greenland will not change its ownership under Donald Trump's administration. Cohn highlighted the significance of Greenland's minerals while warning against military threats to NATO members. He also suggested Trump's comments might be negotiation tactics and reiterated the importance of Greenland as a strategic asset for the U.S., especially concerning rare earth minerals necessary for technological advancements.

Greenland Will Remain Independent, Asserts Former Trump Adviser Gary Cohn

Gary Cohn, former vice chairman of IBM and top advisor to Donald Trump, declared that Greenland will stay Greenland in a recent interview with the BBC. Cohn, who advised Trump during his first presidential term, spoke about the implications of Trump's interest in the territory amid ongoing discussions about its strategic resources.

Cohn, a leader in the AI and quantum computing sectors, highlighted that Trump's desires regarding Greenland are linked to the U.S. accessing crucial minerals. In light of geopolitical discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Cohn warned that invading an independent country that is part of NATO would cross serious boundaries.

He further elaborated that Greenland would welcome a stronger U.S. military presence, particularly because of emerging threats in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions.

Despite Trump's rhetoric, Cohn believes that there is a shared consensus among U.S. political leaders, both Republicans and Democrats, that Greenland's status will not change. He speculated that the president's remarks are potentially part of a negotiation strategy, suggesting that Trump often exaggerates demands to achieve a compromise.

During the forum, which has been heavily focused on both the geopolitical stakes of Greenland and advancements in technology sectors, Cohn remarked on the importance of rare earth minerals for developments in artificial intelligence and quantum computing, emphasizing IBM's position at the forefront of these technological developments.

As political tensions rise, Cohn mentioned that any military actions against Greenland, which is not in favor of invasion, would be detrimental, especially given its NATO partnership. The focus on Greenland's resources continues to grow, complicating the diplomatic landscape as the world watches closely.