President Donald Trump on Wednesday used his appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to sharpen his case for bringing Greenland into the U.S. strategic orbit\u2014while also explicitly rejecting the idea of using military force to do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe 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,\u201d Trump said. \u201cI don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Greenland\u2014the world\u2019s largest island\u2014sits in the Arctic and handles most of its domestic affairs while remaining part of the Kingdom of Denmark. In recent years, its strategic importance has grown rapidly as Russia and China expand their Arctic interests and the region becomes more militarized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump argued the United States is the only nation with the power and reach to defend Greenland effectively, framing the island as essential to protecting America and its allies from modern threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have tremendous respect for both the people of Greenland and the people of Denmark, tremendous respect. But every NATO ally has an obligation to be able to defend their own territory, and the fact is, no nation or group of nations is in any position to be able to secure Greenland other than the United States. We’re a great power,\u201d Trump said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n