Davos 2026 | 'You can say yes or we’ll remember': Trump issues stark warning to Europe on Greenland takeover

President Trump called for immediate negotiations to acquire Greenland, claiming only the US can secure it, but said force won't be used. His remarks at Davos sparked opposition from Europe, Canada, and NATO, who urged diplomacy and warned of a crisis in relations.

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US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that United States is the only nation in position to secure Greenland. Trump sought immediate negotiations to seize control of the Danish autonomous territory, but noted that he won't use force to do so.

"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, much greater than people even understand. I think they found that out two weeks ago in Venezuela," he told global elites at Davos, referring to a US military operation to depose that country's leader Nicolas Maduro.

Trump slammed NATO ally Denmark as "ungrateful" for US help with securing Greenland after World War II.

"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 told the World Economic Forum in Davos. "That's the reason I'm seeking immediate negotiations to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States."

The US President said he would not use force to take control of Greenland, but insisted the United States must still have "ownership" of it.

"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 a summit in Davos. "I don't have to use force. I don't want to use force. I won't use force."

"You can say yes and we will be very appreciative. Or you can say no and we will remember," he told Europe.

The 79-year-old doubled down on his claims over the strategic Arctic island before arriving, but Europe and Canada have closed ranks against what they view as a threat to the US-led global order.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney warned at Davos of a "rupture" to the US-led system while NATO's chief called on Wednesday for "thoughtful diplomacy" to resolve one of the biggest crises in transatlantic relations for decades.

The united stand drew a rebuke from Trump's Treasury chief Scott Bessent, who told Europeans to "take a deep breath" and wait for the president's arrival to see what he has to say.

"Do not have this reflexive anger that we've seen," Bessent told reporters in Davos.

Trump insists mineral-rich Greenland is vital for US and NATO security against Russia and China as a melting Arctic opens up and the superpowers jostle for strategic advancement.

But NATO chief Mark Rutte told Davos on Wednesday that "thoughtful diplomacy" was needed, as Trump's claims over another ally's territory provoke an existential crisis for the group.

"There are these tensions at the moment, there's no doubt," said Rutte, who has been dubbed the "Trump whisperer" for his ability to deal with the US president.

Rutte also pushed back against Trump, who has long told other countries to pay more for the alliance, and who on Tuesday said he doubted NATO would come to the aid of the United States if asked.

"I tell him, yes they will," Rutte said.

France called meanwhile Wednesday for a NATO exercise in Greenland "and is ready to contribute to it", Macron's office said.

The French president had warned at Davos on Tuesday against US attempts to "subordinate Europe", and blasted Trump's "unacceptable" threats to impose tariffs on allies over Greenland.

Europe has threatened countermeasures after Trump turned up the pressure by threatening levies of up to 25 percent on eight European countries for backing Denmark.