Trump’s ‘No Going Back’ Greenland Push Raises Alarm Across Europe
Trump is doubling down on his push to take control of Greenland ahead of the Davos summit, using AI images, tariff threats, and leaked messages to pressure Europe — even as Denmark and Greenland insist the island remains sovereign and independent.
Key Points
- Trump will demand Greenland at Davos, tariff threat.
- AI images and Macron message shared.
- Criticism of UK's Chagos decision.
- Greenland: Want to remain independent.
Trump to Raise Greenland Demand at Davos
President Trump has reiterated his desire to take over Greenland while preparing to meet European leaders in Switzerland, posting more on social media. On the one-year anniversary of his return to the White House, he made a barrage of comments on Truth Social.
AI Images Spark Concern Among European Leaders
This AI-generated image, which concerns European and world leaders, reflects his expansionist vision for America. The AI image posted on Truth Social shows the president planting the US flag on Greenland.
Trump shared a photo from the Oval Office showing him in a meeting with his team.
— Shubham Gurule (@shubham_gurule) January 20, 2026
The image highlights a funny map that marks Canada, Greenland, and Venezuela as part of the United States. He wrote “No going back,” which sounds like bold trolling on borders, making leaders like… pic.twitter.com/T7iUyp5jFB
The second AI image shows European leaders in the Oval Office where Trump reveals a map showing Greenland, Venezuela, and Canada as parts of the United States.
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Trump Criticizes UK Over Chagos Islands Decision
In another Truth Social post concerning Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump called the UK's decision to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius "an act of GREAT STUPIDITY". The United States has a military base on Diego Garcia on one of the islands. Trump said the Prime Minister is being weak by abiding by a ruling by the UN's highest court that British occupation of the territory was illegal.
Mr. Trump's administration had supported the transfer less than 9 months ago. The government here has just issued its response in the last few moments, saying that the UK will never compromise on our national security, adding that the deal it reached secures the operation of the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia for generations.
Tariff Threats Linked to Greenland Takeover
Trump has doubled down on his threats of tariffs unless European leaders agree to the US taking over Greenland. He Says:-
"I don't think they're going to push back too much. Look, we have to have it. They have to have this done. They can't protect it. Denmark, they're wonderful people. And I know the leaders, they're very good people, but they don't even go there. And you know, because the boat went there 500 years ago and then left, that doesn't give you title to property."
Donald Trump is talking about issuing tariffs while reiterating his concern over Greenland. The Netherlands takes aim at tariffs with the UK. Dutch Foreign Minister David van Wee was scheduled to attend Davos.
Trump’s Negotiation Strategy Explained
Robert Moran from the Brunswick Group (former Republican pollster) says,-
"The president has a traditional bargaining strategy where he makes a big demand and then backs off of it and then settles for something less or settles for something else that he wanted. He's actually the fourth US president to attempt to purchase or somehow gain control of Greenland—Andrew Johnson, Taft, Truman. Truman offered 100 million in 1946. In America they say 'Trump always chickens out'. I suspect he will back off. The fallback is really just territorial control for national security and more military base presence there. Perhaps he'll make an offer so much money that Denmark might consider."
Reactions will continue throughout the day. The White House has said that Greenlanders would be better served if protected by the United States from modern threats in the Arctic region.
Why Greenland Is Strategically Important
Paul Adams explains why Greenland is so strategically important.
It's a vast island of ice, home to just 57,000 people. Sitting between North America and Russia, Greenland's strategic significance has long been recognized. During the Cold War, the US had bases here. There were 10,000 military personnel at Pitufik. Now there are only around 150 people left. But Donald Trump says today's threats mean America needs to control Greenland.
One reason is this. It's at the northern end of a key naval choke point known as the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap. Russian submarines heading into the North Atlantic have to come this way. For a president intent on dominating the Western Hemisphere, Greenland represents a kind of gateway.
His latest national security strategy states:
"The United States must be preeminent in the Western Hemisphere as a condition of our security and prosperity."
That doctrine was on full display just over two weeks ago when American forces attacked the Venezuelan capital and arrested the country's president.
Why Trump Says NATO Is Not Enough
But if it's vital for the US to keep enemies away from Greenland, why can't NATO handle it?
Donald Trump says-
"Countries have to have ownership and you defend ownership. You don't defend leases. And we'll have to defend Greenland."
From his second inauguration speech onwards, Donald Trump has spoken about expanding America's influence and its territory. Now he says the world will not be secure unless America has complete and total control of Greenland.
Trump will give a speech at Davos on Wednesday. He will reiterate to European leaders gathering there that the US has to have Greenland.
Macron Message Shared by Trump
Trump shared a message apparently from French President Emmanuel Macron:-
"I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland."
Greenland’s Response: We Want to Be Greenlanders
Greenland's political leaders say:-
"We would like to emphasize once again our desire for the US's disregard for our country to end. We do not want to be Americans. We do not want to be Danes. We want to be Greenlanders."
Deepak Singh
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FAQs
1. What did Trump say about Greenland?
He said there is no turning back on plans for the US to take control of Greenland.
2. Why does Trump want Greenland?
He says Greenland is vital for US security and Arctic control.
3. How is Trump pressuring Europe?
By threatening tariffs and using public statements and AI images.
4. How have Europe and allies reacted?
Many European leaders are alarmed and opposed to Trump’s stance.
5. What do Greenland’s leaders want?
They reject US control and say they want to remain Greenlanders, not Americans or Danes.
Final Global Question:
In an era of rising strategic competition, will the United States’ push for control over Greenland reshape Arctic geopolitics and international norms about sovereignty, or will European allies and Greenlanders themselves be able to assert their own priorities and influence the future of the region?
