Donald Trump lashed out at NATO and Europe during an extraordinary speech at Davos, saying the continent was “unrecognisable” and the US was the “only country” that could secure Greenland.
The US president doubled down on his threat to annex the territory during his address at the World Economic Forum but said that he would “not use force” to secure it.
“Unless I decide to use excessive strength and force where we would be frankly unstoppable. That is the biggest statement I’ve made. I don’t want to use force, I don’t have to use force, I won’t use force,” he said.
During the speech Trump also repeated his attacks on Europe, saying the continent was “unrecognisable” due to immigration - echoing a trope repeated by the European and American far-right.
His comments added to rising tensions between Europe and Washington over Greenland as NATO leaders raced to prevent a diplomatic crisis over the future of the territory from escalating.
Read More‘Trump not welcome’: Protesters burn US flag in Switzerland ahead of president’s Davos trip
Trump trolls Greenland with AI picture of president planting flag on ‘US territory’
What is the UK’s Chagos Islands deal and why has Trump labelled it ‘great stupidity’?
Macron takes aim at ‘bully’ Trump as EU leaders ramp up response to president’s threats
Trump-Greenland latest: Key points
- Trump says he will not use force to annex Greenland
- US president claims 'only we can secure Arctic territory'
- Trump mocks Macron's aviator sunglasses
- Canada should be 'grateful' to US, Trump claims
- Trump appears to confuse Greenland with Iceland in press conference answer
Stock prices fall and gold reaches record high amid Greenland tensions
17:00 , Maira ButtGold prices reached record highs on Wednesday as investor sought security amid tensions between the US and Greenland.
Values were boosted to over $4,800 per ounce, according to Reuters.
“It's the loss of trust in the U.S. caused by Trump's moves over the weekend to tariff European countries and increase coercion in trying to take Greenland. (The move in gold) reflects fears about global geopolitical (tensions),” said Kyle Rodda, a senior market analyst at Capital.com told the publication.
Meanwhile, stock prices fell on both sides of the Atlantic with the worst day since October.
Amazon was down 2.9 per cent and Tesla and Nvidia were both down more than 3 per cent, wiping billions of dollars off their market values.
British PM Starmer pledges to put ‘national interest over juvenile politics'
16:40 , Maira ButtThe Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
Downing Street has defended the UK prime minister’s approach to dealing with President Donald Trump in recent days.
During PMQs Sir Keir Starmer used his most hostile language yet as said he “will not yield” to Donald Trump over the future of Greenland.
Asked whether the prime minister had finally had enough with Donald Trump, Sir Keir’s press secretary said he had “expressed what he said on Monday”.
“As you saw in the chamber there, the other party leaders have shown themselves utterly unfit and unable to rise to it,” she said.
She added: “The prime minister is always putting national interest over the juvenile politics that you’ve seen from other parties in recent days.”
Analysis: Trump's comments on 'unrecognisable' Europe veiled comments on migration
16:20 , Maira ButtThe Independent’s White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg writes:
Trump's remarks consist of the same sorts of boasts he made during a somnolent press conference to mark the one-year anniversary of his swearing-in yesterday.
He also includes some of the his oft-repeated claims that European capitals are being described as "unrecognisable" by unnamed friends of his, comments made with the clear implication that the problem is too many non-white and Muslim migrants having been allowed to live in Europe.
Local citizens 'extremely worried' amid Trump threats for Greenland takeover
16:00 , Annabel Grossman (in Greenland)Julie Rademacher, chair of Uagut, (National Organization for Greenlanders in Denmark) said that local citizens are “extremely worried”.
She added: “The threats from the American president to annex Greenland feel like psychological warfare and are terrorising for many Greenlanders, both for Greenlanders living in Denmark, but it is even harder for our compatriots in Greenland to withstand the pressure.
“Many are developing anxiety and are very afraid, and there are also a great many who cannot sleep and wake up from nightmares. Children and families with children have also been unsettled and are considering moving from Greenland to a safer life in Denmark, so it is a very difficult time to be a Greenlander.”
Watch: Trump says US is 'stupid' to have given back Greenland after WWII
15:40 , Maira ButtFull story: Trump promises not to use force to take Greenland but still wants it to be part of US
15:23 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump on Wednesday said he would not seek to annex Greenland with military force but called for “immediate negotiations” aimed at a deal for the U.S. to acquire the Arctic territory, which both Danish and Greenlandic authorities have said is not for sale.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the president claimed the U.S. could have retained control over Greenland after deploying troops there during the Second World War to keep the island out of Nazi Germany’s hands.
'They're stupid' says Trump if Russia and Ukraine don't agree to peace deal
15:09 , Maira ButtAs he begins to take questions, Trump has addressed the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
“The leaders of Russia and Ukraine have both backed away from deals,” he said, although he added: “We are reasonably close to a deal on Ukraine.”
He explained: “They’re at a point where they can come together. If they don’t then they’re stupid.”
14:58 , Maira Butt Trump is now having a fireside chat following his speech. We will continue to bring you the latest from the conversation...
United States is back 'bigger, stronger than ever before'
14:54 , Maira ButtTrump has closed his speech at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday with comments that the US is back “bigger and stronger than ever before”.
He has made several references throughout the address to the success he said he has achieved throughout the last 12 months in office.
Minnesota situation shows 'West cannot import foreign cultures'
14:51 , Maira ButtPresident Trump is now attacking Somalia saying it is a “failed nation” that has no government, military or police.
He said the situation shows that the “West cannot import foreign cultures”
Protests continue in the state against ICE operations.
Watch: Trump mocks Macron's aviator sunglasses during Davos speech: 'What the hell happened'
14:50 , Maira ButtTrump will 'not do anything that hurts home values'
14:43 , Maira ButtPresident Trump has turned to domestic policy as he says that he will ensure he does nothing that will “hurt home values”.
He said he has signed an order banning large institutional investors from buying homes saying: “Homes are built for people not corporations”.
Greenland should be given to US in exchange for 'world protection' says Trump
14:41 , Maira Butt"We want a piece of ice for world protection, and they won't give it," Trump said in his speech to a congress hall packed with business and political leaders.
He said it is a “small ask” for a “piece of ice”.
US is 'economic engine of the planet'
14:40 , Maira ButtTrump has reiterated America’s unique position in the world as he explained that the US is the “economic engine of the planet”.
'We will remember' says Trump if Europe refuses to give Greenland
14:37 , Maira Butt“You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative. Or you can say no, and we will remember,” he said in his address at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday.
“It's the United States alone that can protect this giant mass of land, this giant piece of ice, develop it and improve it and make it so that it's good for Europe and safe for Europe and good for us.
“And that's the reason I'm seeking immediate negotiations to once again, discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States,” Trump added.
Watch: Trump says 'I won’t use force’ to take over Greenland
14:31 , Maira ButtFrance has been taking advantage of US 'for over thirty years'
14:28 , Maira ButtTrump has hit out at Emmanuel Macron and says France has been taking advantage of the US over prescription drugs for over thirty years.
He said he had threatened Macron with additional tariffs over the disagreements on drug prices.
President has also made a dig at Macron over his sunglasses. “What is that?” he said.
The French leader said he will be wearing the shades for a minor eye condition.
'All I'm asking for is a piece of ice' says Trump as he asks Europe to give territory over
14:22 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump says in his address: “All I’m asking for is a piece of ice.”
He has confused Greenland with Iceland a couple of times during his speech.
The US leader says he does a lot for Europe and would like them to show their appreciation through giving Greenland to the US.
“You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative. Or you can say no, and we will remember,” he said.
Trump to meet Zelensky today
14:20 , Maira ButtTrump is to meet Zelensky at Davos he said as he emphasised that the war between Russia and Ukraine must end.
“Too many people are dying, needlessly dying,” he said. “Too many souls are being lost.”
He said it is another example of how much he and the US does for Europe.
'Canada only lives because of us' says Trump as he hits out at PM Carney
14:18 , Maira ButtPresident Trump is hitting out at his neighbour Canada now as he says: “Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that Mark, the next time you make your statements.”
He added: “Canada gets a lot of freebies from us - they should be grateful to us. Yesterday the Prime Minister (Carney) wasn’t so grateful.”
'I won't use force' to take over Greenland', says president
14:13 , Maira ButtAfter speculation of military intervention, Trump says he will not use force to acquire Greenland.
He said he wants Nato to give the territory over to the US and added: “Unless I decide to use excessive strength and force where we would be frankly unstoppable. That is the biggest statement I’ve made. I don’t want to use force, I don’t have to use force, I won’t use force.”
Trump seeking 'immediate negotiations to discuss acquisition of Greenland'
14:11 , Maira ButtPresident is emphasising his ambitions for Greenland. He insists that the acquisition would not be a threat to Nato and would enhance the alliance’s security.
He said the US is seeking “immediate negotiations to discuss acquisition of Greenland”.
US treated 'unfairly' by Nato
14:08 , Maira ButtTrump is hitting out at Nato for a one-sided relationship.
“The US is treated very unfairly by Nato - we have given so much and get so little in return,” he says.
“I’ve done more to help Nato than any other president or person. You wouldn’t have Nato if I didn’t get involved.”
'Only US can secure Greenland' says Trump
14:05 , Maira Butt“No nation can secure Greenland other than US” says Trump and calls Denmark “ungrateful”.
He says America was “stupid” to have given the territory back after World War II.
American leader says US needs it for the “strategic location” and insists that the rare minerals are not the focus.
“We need it for strategic national security and international security. This enormous unsecure island is part of America.”
Greenland is 'big beautiful piece of ice - it’s hard to call it land'
14:02 , Maira ButtDonald Trump has described Greenland as “a big beautiful piece of ice - it’s hard to call it land”.
He said the US has set up bases on the territory for Denmark.
The president is reiterating his ambitions for acquiring the territory.
United States ‘cares deeply about Europe’, wants 'strong allies not weak ones'
14:00 , Maira ButtThe United States “cares deeply about Europe” says Trump.
He said the country cares about “the bonds we share with Europe as a civilisation”.
But, he added: “We want strong allies not weak ones.”
Trump says UK are 'losers' due to underuse of fuel sources in North Sea
13:58 , Maira ButtTrump says the UK are “losers” as they are under-using their energy sources in the North Sea.
“They don’t use it,” he said. “That’s why they have reached catastrophically high levels.”
He said: “The North Sea is incredible, they don’t let anybody drill, environmentally, they take 92 per cent of the revenues.”
'We're very much into world of nuclear energy', says Trump
13:54 , Maira ButtDonald Trump is expressing enthusiasm for nuclear power and energy. He said the administration is continuing to invest in it.
“We're very much into the world of nuclear energy,” says Trump after admitting he was hesitant about developments due to safety.
Tariffs on foreign nations to 'pay for the damage that they caused'
13:48 , Maira ButtThe US leader says that tariffs he has imposed on foreign nations were to “pay for the damage that they caused”.
Trump’s policy on tariffs has been controversial across the world, panicking markets and starting trade wars with nations that launched retaliatory measures.
Trump told the forum that his tariffs helped cut America’s trade deficit.
Most recently, Trump has threatened to impose further tariffs on countries that oppose his intentions to take the territory of Greenland.
Europe 'not heading in the right direction' and 'unrecognisable' says Trump
13:45 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump has hit out at Europe after weeks of tension saying the continent is “unrecognisable”.
He said Europe is “not heading in the right direction”. The leader attacked “unchecked, mass migration”.
Trump opens Davos address with praise for US economy
13:42 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump has praised his administration’s work on the US economy, saying the growth he has enabled has “never been seen before”.
“People are doing very well, they’re very happy with me,” he says.
The American leader said the economy is expected to grow at “double the rate” predicted by the IMF.
“When America booms, we all boom. You all follow us down and you all follow us up,” he said.
Trump to speak imminently
13:35 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump is due to speak shortly after an hours-long delay following an “electrical fault” on Air Force One.
The American leader will give a highly-anticipated address after weeks of tensions with Nato and European allies.
Trump lands in Davos ahead of major speech
13:06 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump’s helicopter has touched down in Davos ahead of a major speech at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday.
British chancellor Rachel Reeves makes jab at Donald Trump over trade barriers
12:50 , Maira ButtBritish chancellor Rachel Reeves is talking to broadcasters at the World Economic Forum in Davos about the latest bad news on the economy.
But Ms Reeves has taken the opportunity to point to her own actions in comparison to the tariffs Donald Trump is threatening on his closest allies over Greenland.
She told Channel 4: “On the subject of trade barriers, well, other countries are increasing trade barriers, in Britain we are reducing them. Last year we did trade deals with India, with Korea, we have entered the CTPPT and also, we are improving trade relations with the EU.
She added: “On the US specifically, we secured last year the first and the best trade deal with the US.”
Ms Reeves has already had a frosty encounter with commerce secretary Howard Lutnick in the Swiss resort after he told her: “We still love you.”
Live: Watch World Economic Forum as Trump gets ready to deliver major speech within the next hour
12:37 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump is approximately on time for a major speech to be delivered at around 1.30pm.
Despite delays due to an “electrical fault” the American leader is expected to give the address according to the conference’s original scheduling.
Analysis: Starmer has been caught cold on Chagos
12:23 , David Maddox (political editor)British prime minister Keir Starmer is struggling here to square his positions on the Chagos Islands and Greenland.
The principle of self determination for Greenlanders does not appear to be the same in his mind for Chagossians as he plans to hand over the islands to Mauritius.
His defence that US President Donald Trump used the Chagos issue - having previously agreed with the Mauritius deal - to push him to yield on Greenland may be true but it is not true of the Tories who have opposed this deal for more than 12 months now.
Starmer once again looks wooden and flustered compared to a relaxed smiling Tory leader Kemi Badenoch who is clearly pleased with herself for sucker punching him.
Watch: Trump approximately on time for speech at 1.30pm today despite delays
12:18 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump has landed in Zurich, Switzerland ahead of a major speech at Davos for the World Economic Forum this afternoon.
The American leader greeted the press but his precise words were inaudible. He did not take any questions.
Watch: UK PM Starmer tells Trump he 'will not yield' on Greenland under threat of tariffs
12:16 , Maira ButtStarmer comes out swinging at Trump over Greenland and the Chagos Islands
12:14 , Kate DevlinThe UK’s prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has hit out at Donald Trump 24 hours after the US President shocked the PM with an attack over the Chagos Islands.
Sir Keir said Trump’s “express purpose” with his criticism was to pressure him over Greenland, it was “literally in the same sentence” he said.
“He wants me to yield (on Greenland)”, he added, “and I am not going to”.
On Tuesday Trump called the UK's deal to hand sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius "an act of great stupidity".
In pictures: Trump touches down in Switzerland after delays
12:10 , Maira Butt Trump lands in Switzerland after delays
11:44 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump has landed in Switzerland and is set to deliver a major speech at 1.30pm (8.30am EST) this afternoon at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Before his departure, he held a 90-minute press conference in which he revealed he has "a lot of meetings scheduled on Greenland” during the Davos trip. Trump also used the press conference to issue an ominous message about US intentions.
Meeting between Trump and German chancellor Merz 'not likely to take place' due to delays
11:39 , Maira ButtA scheduled meeting between President Donald Trump and German chancellor Friedrich Merz is “not likely to take place” due to a three-hour delay caused by an “electrical fault” on Air Force One, a source told Reuters.
The American leader is due to address the World Economic Forum in a special address this afternoon.
How this quiet nation could be the next target in Trump’s power struggle
11:20 , Maira ButtJust a few days before Danish officials held high-profile talks with a White House delegation about Greenland last week, the leader of a European country and Nato member state was offering some novel advice to the Americans, had they been listening.
The autonomous territory of Denmark, which Donald Trump was demanding be handed over to US control, was “useless”, said Croatian president Zoran Milanovic. In remarks that garnered vanishingly little media attention beyond his home country, Milanovic suggested the US should instead turn its attention to Svalbard in Norway.
“I just don’t know if the American administration has seen it on the map yet… It belongs in principle to Norway,” he said. “Here, I gave them a topic to think about,” he added, before concluding: “This is proof that international law does not exist even as a fiction.”
Richard Williams reports:
How this quiet nation could be the next target in Trump’s power struggle
Analysis: Sam K revamped analysis: Why Trump’s fanaticism over Greenland shows his biggest contradiction
11:00 , Maira ButtDonald Trump publicly signalled that he wanted to grab Greenland for the US before he was formally installed as the 47th President.
Now, a year into his administration, the future of the ice-clad mega-island lies at the centre of a clash between Western civilisations and a potential trade war. But here, understanding the jumble of global contradictions that Mr Trump’s latest fetish for another country’s land can reveal, there’s method, as well as outright madness, in his relations with the outside world.
Trump has undone almost every branch of American democracy. In doing so, he has served the interests of America’s greatest rival, Russia, in ways that apparently make no sense and are hard to fathom.
The Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley reports:
Why Trump’s fanaticism over Greenland shows his biggest contradiction
Watch: Nato chief says US and Europe 'need each other' for protection as tensions rise
10:44 , Maira ButtEurope 'fully prepared to act if necessary', says Von der Leyen
10:24 , Maira ButtUrsula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission has said that Europe is “fully prepared to act if necessary”.
She discussed escalating tensions with Trump over a US takeover of Greenland, saying that “the threat of additional tariffs for security reasons is simply wrong”.
"We now live in a world defined by raw power,” she said at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday.
She added that it was “imperative” for Europe to acquire “new levers of power”.
Rutte reacts to Trump comments on Nato rescue
10:01 , Maira ButtMark Rutte, secretary general of Nato, has insisted that Nato would come to the rescue of the United States, contrary to comments made by President Donald Trump on Tuesday.
“The big fear I have with Nato is we spend teses amounts of money with Nato, and I know we'll come to their rescue, but I just really do question whether or not they'll come to ours,” Trump had said.
Nato chief says US and Europe 'need each other' for protection
09:53 , Maira Butt“You cannot envisage Nato without the leader of the Free World, and no one would want it,” Mark Rutte told the WEF on Wednesday. He emphasised that Europe and Nato “need” the United States and President Donald Trump.
“We need each other for protection.”
Polish president says Greenland issues can be solved through 'diplomacy'
09:31 , Maira ButtPoland’s president Karol Nawrocki has reiterated the importance of relations with the United States amid tensions around President Donald Trump’s threats to takeover Greenland.
“I hope the issue of Greenland will be solved through diplomacy,” Nawrocki told the WEF panel.
“I think Nato is stable, although we recognise the issues around Greenland.”
He emphasised the importance of transatlantic relations adding: “Solidarity in Europe is necessary but building strong transatlantic relations is also necessary.”
'Europe is safe' insists Nato chief
09:25 , Maira ButtNato’s secretary general Mark Rutte has insisted “Europe is safe” as he answered questions about Greenland’s security.
Rutte resisted commenting too much on negotiations behind the scenes and said he was working on the issue behind the scenes.
“We need to defend the Arctic,” he told a World Economic Forum panel on Wednesday.
"President Trump and other leaders are right,” he said. “We have to do more there. We have to protect the Arctic against Russian and Chinese influence.”
Poland president Nawrocki and Nato secretary general Rutte to speak shortly
09:16 , Maira ButtPolish president Karol Nawrocki and Nato secretary general Mark Rutte are due to speak shortly.
Donald Trump supported Nawrocki in his presidential campaign and the Polish leaders considers him a close ally.
Stay with us for all the latest.
Who is speaking at Davos today?
08:56 , Maira ButtLeaders and businesspeople from all over the world will attend the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday as President Donald Trump is set to give an important address after tensions with Europe over Greenland in recent days.
Here is the schedule with key events for today:
8.30am - 9.00am - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi delivers a special address at the World Economic Forum
9.15am - 10.00am - Polish President Karol Nawrocki and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte participate in a WEF panel titled "Can Europe Defend Itself?" alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb, European Investment Bank President Nadia Calvino and Sanofi CEO Paul Hudson.
12.00pm - 12.30pm - Humanitarian briefing on Sudan at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Speakers include: Hanin Ahmed - Sudanese Activist and Emergency Response Room Leader, Emergency Response Rooms of Sudan (ERR), David Miliband - President and Chief Executive Officer, International Rescue Committee and Barham Salih, High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
12.30pm - 1.00pm - Panel discussion with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
1.30pm - 2.15pm - Special address by President Donald Trump
2.45pm- 3.45pm Argentina President Javier Milei delivers a special address at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Europe 'ready to defend ourselves', says EU Council president
08:35 , Maira ButtThe European Union will defend itself against coercion, EU Council president Antonio Costa said on Wednesday.
“We stand ready to defend ourselves, our member states, our citizens, our companies, against any form of coercion. And the European Union has the power and the tools to do so,” Costa told the European Parliament in a speech.
“We cannot accept that the law of the strongest prevails over the rights of the weakest,” he continued.
“Because international rules are not optional. And alliances cannot just boil down to a sequence of transactions.”
The comments come amid Donald Trump’s threats to take over Greenland.
From a T-Rex to the Hungry Caterpillar: Trump’s Greenland threats unleash attacks from world leaders at Davos
08:20 , Maira ButtEuropean leaders issued stark warnings and California Governor Gavin Newsom delivered expletive-laden rebukes at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, as discussions were dominated by the Greenland crisis and escalating global trade tensions.
The gathering comes as Donald Trump continues to advocate for the acquisition of Greenland and the imposition of related trade tariffs.
French President Emmanuel Macron, sporting aviator sunglasses due to an eye infection, cautioned against a "new colonial approach" that he argued would dismantle decades of international cooperation.
T-Rex and the Hungry Caterpillar: Trump’s threats unleash attacks from world leaders
'Denmark is irrelevant', says US treasury secretary
08:05 , Maira ButtAs President Donald Trump heads to Davos amid tensions over Greenland, his treasury secretary has hit out at Denmark as “irrelevant”.
Asked: “Is the US worried that institutional investors in Europe might pull out of the US Treasury market, such as pension funds in Denmark?” Scott Bessent dismissed the concerns, saying: “The size of Denmark’s investment in US Treasury bonds, like Denmark itself, is irrelevant.”
Minister defends Starmer’s absence from Davos
07:54 , Maira ButtAthena Stavrou reports:
A UK government minister has defended Sir Keir Starmer’s decision not to travel to Davos, stating he has “all kinds of other things he's doing”.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the UK prime minister will deal with Trump “in his own way”, rather than speaking with him at the event on Wednesday.
“The prime minister's got other engagements,” he told BBC Breakfast.
“He has already talked to President Trump on Sunday night and the prime minister spends a lot of his time being criticised for being out of the country - and now you're saying to me, he should be out of the country more.”
He also said Sir Keir’s “calm approach” to the US president was the right one, adding: “He's sought common ground with the President of the United States. He's found common ground, and it led to us getting the first trade deal, among other things, with the US.”
Why Trump’s chaotic pursuit of Greenland shows only one rule applies in his dangerous global power-grab
07:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarDonald Trump publicly signalled that he wanted to grab Greenland for the US before he was formally installed as the 47th President.
Now, a year into his administration, the future of the ice-clad mega-island lies at the centre of a clash between Western civilisations and a potential trade war. But here, understanding the jumble of global contradictions that Mr Trump’s latest fetish for another country’s land can reveal, there’s method, as well as outright madness, in his relations with the outside world.
Trump has undone almost every branch of American democracy. In doing so, he has served the interests of America’s greatest rival, Russia, in ways that apparently make no sense and are hard to fathom.
More here.
Why Greenland shows only one rule applies in Trump’s dangerous global power-grab