“We Were Stupid To Give Back Greenland To Denmark”, Trump Says At Davos While Targeting Europe

US President Donald Trump returned to familiar territory during his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, delivering a speech that mixed sharp humour, criticism of Europe and renewed claims over Greenland.

As global leaders and business executives gathered in Switzerland, Trump used the platform to restate his "America First" worldview and question long-standing transatlantic assumptions.

Opening with a light jab at the audience, Trump said he was pleased to be in beautiful Davos with "so many business leaders, so many friends and a few enemies", before pivoting quickly to praise developments in the United States under his leadership and argue that Europe was not moving in the "right direction".

Trump's sharp words on Greenland's history

The US President then turned to Greenland, an issue that has repeatedly strained ties between Washington and European capitals. Referring to the Arctic island as a "big, beautiful piece of ice", Trump argued that Denmark had been wrong to relinquish control after World War II.

He said the country was "stupid" to give Greenland back to Denmark, claiming that the decision had only led to ingratitude despite America's role in defending the territory during the war years.

NATO, defence and Trump's Greenland argument

Expanding on the security aspect, Trump insisted that only the United States was capable of protecting Greenland in today's geopolitical climate.

"...But every NATO ally must defend their territory. No nation is in any position to secure Greenland other than us," Trump said, while also noting that Greenland had fallen to Germany during World War II.

In his view, Denmark's wartime vulnerability underscored his argument that the responsibility for Greenland's security had historically fallen on Washington.

Respect for Denmark, but no change in tone

Despite the strong language, Trump stressed that his remarks were not aimed at the people of Denmark or Greenland themselves. He said he had "tremendous respect for the people of Denmark and Greenland", even as he repeated claims about Copenhagen's inability to defend the territory in the past.

"US was compelled to send its own forces to hold that territory at great cost and expense. Denmark knows that," the US President said, reiterating that Denmark had "fallen to Germany" and was "unable to defend itself and Greenland".

Trump's comments are likely to revive diplomatic unease over Greenland, an issue that continues to symbolise broader disagreements between the United States and Europe on security, sovereignty and global leadership.