In Davos, Trump criticizes Europe and reiterates interest in Greenland

“I love Europe and I want to see Europe prosper, but it is not going in the right direction”, said the president when inaugurating his participation in the event.

Greenland, the main issue that has generated friction between Europeans and Americans, was mentioned again by the president. He said he was seeking “immediate negotiations” to discuss the acquisition of the autonomous Danish territory.

Trump once again defended that Greenland is a “fundamental national security interest” for the US. He compared the island to a “huge piece of ice” which is “cold and poorly located, but which can play a vital role in world peace and protection.”

The White House leader stressed that he will not do what, according to him, many world leaders fear: obtain Greenland through force.

“We probably won’t accomplish anything unless I decide to use excessive force, something that would make us, frankly, unstoppable,” Trump said. “But I won’t do that. That’s probably the most important statement, because people thought I would use force. I don’t need to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force. All the U.S. is asking for is a place called Greenland.”

“I have tremendous respect for the people of Greenland and Denmark, but I believe that no other country can keep Greenland safe other than the USA,” he said. “Greenland is defenseless in a strategic location,” he added.

Trump also recalled that the US sent troops to Greenland during World War II and that, after the war, according to him, they “gave back the territory.” He then called Denmark “ungrateful” for US action in the past.

“If the US falls, Europe falls with it,” says Trump

Trump also warned Europe that it needs to “correct its course”, because if the US falls, its allies will fall with it, and that, if, on the contrary, the Americans advance, the Europeans will follow, in an effort to reconcile common interests on both sides of the Atlantic, despite tensions over Greenland.

The president criticized the “conventional wisdom” that has dominated the US and Europe, which has led to increased public spending and “uncontrolled mass immigration and countless foreign imports.”

He further opposed NATO’s renewable energy policies and low defense spending, saying the only way to achieve anything through the alliance is by using “excessive force”, but declared he “will not do that”.

The American president also spoke about his national economic agenda, immigration, inflation and investments in the USA.