Bessent in Davos: 'Greenland needs to be a part of the United States'
Photo: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (Getty Images)
Scott Bessent, the US Treasury Secretary, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, stated that the United States considers Greenland part of the United States and warned Europe against increasing its military presence on the island, according to The Guardian.
On the sidelines of the forum, Bessent said that the United States is asking its allies to understand that “Greenland needs to be a part of the United States.”
He stressed that history has already seen similar territorial agreements involving Denmark.
In particular, the US official recalled that during World War I, the United States purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark.
“I will remind everyone that Denmark remained neutral during World War One. They actually sold quite a bit [of land] to the Germans,” he said.
Bessent also separately warned European countries against expanding their military presence on the Arctic island.
“I’m not sure what transaction Bessent is referring to with his second point…I think Denmark actually gained Northern Schleswig from Germany in 1920, after WW1,” the Treasury Secretary said.
Situation around Greenland
Donald Trump has repeatedly stressed that the United States should control Greenland, otherwise China or Russia could allegedly seize it. He has also stated that the US could use military force to achieve this or attempt to buy the Arctic island.
Following these statements, several countries — Denmark, Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom — sent troops to Greenland for reconnaissance and preparation for military exercises.
In response, Trump announced on January 17 the introduction of tariffs on a number of European countries.
On the same day, those countries issued a joint statement saying that the US president's actions undermine transatlantic relations.
Meanwhile, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said he sees three possible scenarios regarding Greenland amid Trump’s claims over the Arctic island, most of which he described as negative.
More details on how Trump is pressuring Europe can be found in the RBC-Ukraine feature article.
