The pursuit of acquiring Greenland by U.S. President Donald Trump has led to a swirl of policy shifts and diplomatic challenges, leaving top aides scrambling to accommodate his demands while calming alarm among allies. Opting against military force, Trump announced at the Davos summit a focus on negotiated deals.
This change of course came after weeks of heightened rhetoric and tariffs threats, prompting concern across European governments. Key world leaders, including those from Greenland and Denmark, have rejected the U.S. overtures, stressing the importance of respecting the island's self-determination.
The episode underscores a recurring theme in Trump's term: abrupt policy shifts under mounting political and market pressures. While some advisers urged caution, the administration remains divided on its Greenland approach. Trump aims to solidify U.S. influence in the Arctic, a region of growing geopolitical focus.
