WEF: Trump Rules Out Force, Pushes Fresh Talks On US ‘Ownership’ Of Greenland

US President Donald Trump has said he would not resort to military force to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, but maintained that the United States must still have “ownership” of the strategically located island.

Speaking on Wednesday at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Trump sought to allay fears that Washington might pursue a forceful takeover of the territory, which belongs to a key US and NATO ally.

“We probably won’t get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force where we would be, frankly, unstoppable, but I won’t do that. Okay. Now everyone’s saying, Oh, good. That’s probably the biggest statement I made, because people thought I would use force,” he told world leaders at the summit.

“I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force.”

Despite the assurance, Trump renewed his long-standing push for the United States to acquire Greenland, calling for “immediate” talks with Denmark on the matter.

He argued that only Washington has the capacity to secure and develop the vast Arctic territory. “It’s the United States alone that can protect this giant mass of land, this giant piece of ice, develop it and improve it,” Trump said. “That’s the reason I’m seeking immediate negotiations to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States.”

AFP