Confusion in Davos

Trump wants “immediate negotiations” on Greenland

US President Donald Trump wants to take over Greenland without violence.(Bild: AP/Markus Schreiber)

US President Donald Trump called for "immediate negotiations" on the acquisition of Greenland on Wednesday. However, he reassured that the US military would not use force. In his speech, he repeatedly confused the Arctic island with Iceland.

"I don't have to use force, I don't want to use force, I won't use force," he said at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. "That's probably the most important statement I've made, because people thought I would use force," he added. He said he would rather rely on negotiations. However, he did not say with whom the White House would conduct such negotiations. The Danish government and other European governments have always emphasized that the Arctic island is not for sale.

The US was foolish to sell Greenland to Denmark after World War II.

US-Präsident Donald Trump in Davos

"The US was stupid to give Greenland back to Denmark after World War II," Trump said. Denmark was saved in World War II, and now the country is being ungrateful. A purchase would increase NATO's security and would not be a threat to the military alliance. Contrary to what has been widely claimed, he is not interested in the extraction of raw materials such as rare earths, which lie hundreds of meters below the ice. "We need it for strategic national and international security," Trump said of Greenland. A takeover would also be "good for Europe." NATO takes a lot but gives little. He wants to build a protective shield on Greenland to defend North America.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly confused Greenland with Iceland.(Bild: AP/Markus Schreiber)

Greenland suddenly becomes Iceland
During his energetic plea, he repeatedly confused the island with the island nation of Iceland. "I have always helped NATO, and they liked me until I recently brought up Iceland," he said. Iceland has already cost the US a lot of money, he added. One explanation for the confusion could be the linguistic similarity between "Iceland" and "ice." Trump had previously referred to Greenland as a "chunk of ice." "All I'm asking for is a piece of ice — cold and badly located."

All I'm asking for is a piece of ice – cold and poorly located.

Trump über Grönland

However, the mood of these talks could be dampened, as Trump once again sharply criticized Europe in his speech. The continent is struggling with "uncontrolled mass migration and endless imports from abroad," he said, adding that there will soon be a "catastrophic collapse" of energy supplies. He blamed the expansion of green energy sources for the latter.

Posing as the savior of Venezuela
The Republican also praised his own controversial economic and tariff policies, his budget policy, and the ordered attack on Venezuela. "Venezuela will earn more money in the next six months than it has in the past 20 years; all the big oil companies are coming into the country. It's incredible," Trump said. Twenty years ago, Venezuela was still a great country, he said, and the US would now help with its problems.

Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) is also in Davos. His focus at the working meetings is on how the recently adopted Austrian industrial strategy can be implemented. "Especially in geopolitically challenging times, dialogue is more important than ever: economic cooperation creates trust, strengthens stability, and often builds bridges where political paths become more difficult," the Federal Chancellery said.