U.S. President Says U.S. Will Not Use Force to Acquire Greenland

At the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the President of the United States announced that the country will not use military force to acquire Greenland, the large Arctic territory currently under the sovereignty of Denmark.

The president stated that while the United States seeks to discuss negotiations over Greenland, it does not intend to employ force to gain control of the island and insisted on pursuing diplomatic avenues instead.

In his remarks, the president reiterated that Greenland is strategically important for national and global security and argued that the United States is uniquely positioned to protect and develop the territory. He also appealed for renewed negotiations about Greenland’s future, describing such discussions as preferable to any coercive approach.

The comments came amid heightened international attention and criticism surrounding the president’s earlier push for the United States to secure Greenland, including concerns about the diplomatic relationship with Denmark, a fellow NATO ally, and wider tensions with European partners.

Even as he ruled out military force, the president expressed frustration with some NATO allies and linked territorial negotiations to broader security commitments.

Denmark and Greenland have firmly stated that Greenland is not for sale, and European leaders have emphasized respect for Danish sovereignty and international law. The renewed U.S. interest and rhetoric have triggered debates among leaders about alliance cohesion and regional security in the Arctic.

Sources: Reuters, Associated Press (AP News), ABC News, The Washington Post