Trump Reiterates Greenland Claims: 'No Going Back' on Strategic Acquisition

Thu Jan 22 2026 01:34:31 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a recent press conference, U.S. President Donald Trump stands firm on his controversial statements regarding Greenland, emphasizing its strategic importance while navigating international tensions.

U.S. President Donald Trump has taken a strong stance on his intentions regarding Greenland, declaring there is 'no going back' on plans for acquisition during a news conference. His remarks have sparked discussions about international relations, particularly in light of warnings from French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney about a shifting global order. Trump's statements have drawn attention to NATO's role and the sovereignty of Greenland itself, leading to mixed reactions both domestically and internationally.

U.S. President Donald Trump has doubled down on his threats to take control of Greenland, stating on social media that there is 'no going back' and that 'Greenland is imperative'. During a news conference at the White House, Trump was asked how far he was willing to go to acquire Greenland and teased, 'You'll find out.'

French President Emmanuel Macron raised concerns during a meeting at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland about a 'shift towards a world without rules', while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney asserted that 'the old order is not coming back'. Trump is due to arrive in Davos on Wednesday, where he has indicated that many discussions on Greenland will take place.

In the lengthy press briefing, Trump told reporters that 'things are going to work out pretty well' in Greenland. When asked about the potential breakup of NATO as a trade-off for Greenland, he claimed, 'Nobody has done more for NATO than I have, in every way,' and stressed that 'NATO is going to be happy and we are going to be happy,' highlighting the importance of Greenland for global security. Yet he simultaneously expressed skepticism about NATO's commitment to aid the U.S., asking, 'I just really do question whether or not they'll come to ours.'

NATO, which currently has 32 member states, is founded on the principle that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all, as defined in Article 5 of the treaty.

He has not dismissed the possibility of using military force to acquire Greenland; when questioned by NBC News, he responded with 'no comment'.

In a BBC Newsnight interview, Greenland’s Minister of Industry and Natural Resources, Naaja Nathanielsen, expressed that Greenlanders are 'bewildered' by Trump's demands, stating, 'We do not want to be Americans, and we have been quite clear about that.' She emphasized the value of Greenland’s culture and self-determination.

During the Davos forum, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, addressed the situation directly, stating that Europe is 'fully committed' to Arctic security in collaboration with others. However, she criticized Trump’s proposed tariffs, calling them 'a mistake'. Trump has threatened to impose a 10% tariff on goods from eight European nations if they oppose his Greenland proposal.

Von der Leyen assured full EU solidarity with Greenland and Denmark, reaffirming the non-negotiable nature of their sovereignty. Mark Carney echoed this sentiment, stating Canada’s steadfast commitment to NATO's Article 5 and support for Greenland and Denmark's right to determine their future.

Macron has voiced his preference for 'respect to bullies' and the rule of law over brutality. The tensions heightened earlier that day when Trump threatened a 200% tariff on French wine and champagne in response to Macron declining an invitation related to Gaza.

French President Macron condemned the accumulation of tariffs as 'fundamentally unacceptable', prompting considerations within the EU of retaliatory options against U.S. tariffs. Reports suggest that the European Parliament may suspend approval of a U.S. trade deal in response to the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Europe.