DONALD Trump said the Greenland situation would “work out pretty well” as he refused to spell out his next move ahead of talks with European leaders in Davos.
The US President was asked about potential tariffs on Europe if allies fail to back his push to acquire Greenland.
Speaking after a White House briefing marking one year back in office, he said: “We have a lot of meetings scheduled on Greenland.
“I’m leaving tonight as you know for Davos, and we have a lot of meetings scheduled on Greenland.
“And I think things are going to work out pretty well.”
Pressed on how far he is willing to go to secure the Arctic territory, Trump offered only a brief reply: “You’ll find out.”
He also rejected suggestions that his pursuit of Greenland could fracture the Nato alliance, saying: “I think that we will work something out where Nato is going to be very happy, and where we’re going to be very happy.
“But we need it [Greenland] for security purposes, we need it for national security and even world security.”
The comments mark a more even tone from the president a day after sharper rhetoric, as he prepares to meet European leaders at the World Economic Forum.
Trump’s remarks come as anxiety grows in Greenland, where leaders have warned residents to prepare for worst-case scenarios amid escalating rhetoric from Washington.
Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said a US attack was “not likely” but could not be ruled out, as officials reviewed civil-defence plans that may include advising households to stockpile at least five days’ worth of food.
Former prime minister Mute B. Egede said: “We must be prepared for everything that may happen.”
Greenland and Denmark have both stressed the island is part of Nato, warning that any escalation would have consequences far beyond the Arctic.
They also condemned Trump’s use of threats on social media, with Nielsen describing the tone as “disrespectful” and insisting Greenland would respond only through formal diplomatic channels.
European capitals are also on alert after Trump threatened tariffs on countries backing Denmark.
European capitals have been placed on alert by Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on long-standing allies if they refuse to negotiate over Greenland.
A ten per cent import tax is set to be levied on goods from a group of European countries backing Denmark, with the rate due to rise if no deal is reached.
Analysts have warned such a move could severely strain the transatlantic alliance.
In Denmark, anger has been particularly sharp, as Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen cancelled plans to attend the opening of the Davos summit to address parliament.
She warned that Greenlanders and Danes did not wish to become “the centre of a conflict between the United States and Europe”.
Frederiksen added Trump’s rhetoric amounted to a direct threat to Danish territory and Greenland’s right to self-determination, cautioning that a trade war would benefit no one.
“On both sides, a trade war will cost jobs,” she said. “On both sides, it will harm the economy.”
Denmark has since deployed additional troops to western Greenland, a move analysts say was intended to show it takes US security concerns seriously, while stopping short of escalating the dispute militarily.
Thousands of people have also taken to the streets in Greenland’s capital, chanting “Greenland is not for sale” in what local media described as the largest protest in the island’s history.
European leaders have rallied behind Copenhagen, with warnings that the EU could respond to US pressure with retaliatory tariffs or other trade measures if Washington follows through on its threats.
But Trump has continued to argue that control of Greenland is essential to counter potential threats from China and Russia.
