Trump discusses buying Greenland in Davos: Details of the upcoming meeting

In a move that revives a long-standing geopolitical debate, US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday his intention to convene a broad meeting of "various parties" to discuss the Greenland issue on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. This announcement underscores the US administration's determination to proceed with the idea of ​​purchasing the world's largest island, which Trump considers a strategic necessity.

Details of the announcement and talks with NATO

Through his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump revealed his agreement to hold the meeting, emphasizing that "Greenland is vital to national and global security," and indicating that the matter was settled, saying, "There's no going back, and everyone agrees." In preparation for this move, the US president explained that he had a "very good" phone call with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, which focused on the issue of the island, a Danish territory.

Trump based his argument on the logic of power, stating that the United States is the only power capable of guaranteeing world peace, and that this is achieved through force. He expressed his confidence that European leaders would not show strong resistance to this American desire, saying in response to journalists' questions in Florida: "I don't think they will stand up strongly. We have to get it. It has to be done.".

Historical background: This is not the first attempt

American interest in Greenland is not a recent phenomenon, nor is it limited to the Trump era. In 1946, US President Harry Truman offered Denmark $100 million in gold to purchase the island, given its strategic location facing the Soviet Union at the time, but the offer was rejected. In 2019, during his first term, Trump sparked a brief diplomatic crisis when he proposed buying the island, a suggestion that Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at the time described as "absurd," leading to Trump canceling a planned official visit to Denmark.

The strategic and geopolitical importance of Greenland

Washington's insistence on annexing Greenland derives its importance from several highly significant geopolitical and economic factors in the modern era:

• Thule Air Base: The island is home to Thule Air Base, the northernmost US military base, and a cornerstone of the ballistic missile early warning and space surveillance system, making it vital to the defense of US territory.
• Rare natural resources: With the melting ice, Greenland has become the focus of the world’s attention because of its huge reserves of rare earth elements, which are essential for the manufacture of modern technology, batteries, and electronic chips, an area in which the United States is seeking to break China’s dominance.
• The race to the Arctic: The Arctic represents a new arena of international competition between the United States, Russia, and China, especially with the opening of new shipping lanes as a result of climate change, making control of Greenland a strategic advantage for controlling future trade routes and military presence in the Arctic region.

The upcoming meeting in Davos appears to be a pivotal moment to test the seriousness of this American proposal once again, and the extent to which European allies are prepared to deal with this demand in light of current international changes.