Greenland and peace deal for Ukraine: Key points from Trump’s Davos speech

Trump’s statement on the US

Trump opened his speech in Davos by stating that inflation in the US has been defeated and that the border, which he called "open and dangerous," is now closed. He promised economic growth unlike any country has ever seen and assured that Americans are satisfied with his work.

He went on to say that his first presidential term was the most successful in history from a financial perspective. He highlighted new rules allowing 100% write-offs of business investment expenses and described what is happening with the US economy as a "miracle."

Speaking on trade, Trump said that almost all countries that signed trade deals with the US have seen their stock markets grow. He added that when the US economy grows, other economies grow along with it.

Trump also spoke about tax cuts in the US and higher tariffs on foreign countries, which he said should compensate for the damage they have caused to America. He criticized mass migration and Europe’s "green" energy policies, claiming that some European countries have become "unrecognizable" and are moving in the wrong direction.

Trump’s statement on Europe

Regarding Europe, Trump said that the US cares about Europeans and shares civilizational ties with them, but accused European countries of "destroying themselves" through policies over the past decade. He emphasized that the United States wants to see strong allies, not weakened ones.

"And I love Europe and I want to see Europe do good, but it's not heading in the right direction," he said.

Trump then expressed serious concern about global security.

Trump stated that today the US and the entire world face far higher risks than even during World War II, due to nuclear weapons and modern weapons that he could not discuss publicly. He added that two weeks earlier, a weapon had appeared that no one had ever heard of, and that everything could be destroyed literally by a single missile. He warned that there is currently no air defense system capable of destroying such missiles.

Trump also specifically mentioned the United Kingdom, saying he wishes it success but criticized its energy strategy and called "green" energy a "scam." He added that China is building wind power plants only for show, not for actual use.

Trump’s statement on Greenland

Turning to Greenland, Trump said that the US has "great respect" for the people of Greenland and Denmark, but insisted that only America is capable of ensuring the island’s security. He stated that during World War II, the US effectively protected Greenland and returned it to Denmark afterward, which he called a mistake.

Trump also claimed that without the US, the world "would be speaking German or Japanese."

He said that the US aims to immediately begin negotiations to purchase Greenland. At the same time, Trump emphasized that he would not use force to acquire it, although he noted that without "overwhelming force," the US does not get anything. He reiterated his desire to buy the island.

Trump’s statement on NATO

Speaking about NATO, Trump said that the US gives a great deal to the alliance but receives in return "death, chaos, and enormous costs.” He expressed doubt that NATO allies would defend the US in the same way America defends them and emphasized that Greenland could play a vital role in global peace and security.

Returning to the topic, Trump addressed global elites, urging them to agree to a deal regarding Greenland. He said that if they say "yes," the US would be grateful, but if "no," "they will remember it."

He then unexpectedly accused Iceland of causing the US stock market to fall the previous day.

Trump’s statement on the war in Ukraine

In the foreign policy segment of his speech, Trump said that the war between Russia and Ukraine must end. According to him, Russian President Vladimir Putin wants a deal, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also seeks an agreement.

"They've got to get that war stopped because too many people are dying, needlessly dying… We are thousands of miles away, separated by a giant ocean," he said, adding that he will meet with Zelenskyy at the forum.

Speaking about France, Trump ironically commented on President Emmanuel Macron’s appearance in sunglasses, noting that he finds it "hard to believe," but that he likes the French president. He also said that, by threatening tariffs, he forced European countries to lower medicine prices in the US, claiming that he reduced them by 2,000%.

Trump’s statement on domestic policy

In the domestic policy segment, Trump criticized former US leader Joe Biden, calling him a "terrible president," and said that he had signed an executive order aimed at limiting the purchase of private homes by large institutional investors.

Turning to monetary policy, Trump stated that the US should have the lowest interest rates in the world, because without the US, other countries, in his view, "would have nothing." He criticized investors for the stock market’s decline despite positive economic news, saying they were selling shares due to fears of a potential rate hike.

Trump then said that he will soon announce the name of the new Federal Reserve chair. He claimed that all candidates are strong and could perform well in the role, but sharply criticized current Fed Chair Jerome Powell, calling him "terrible" and "too slow."

Trump’s statement on the Golden Dome

Trump then returned to the topic of Greenland, saying that he wants to build "the greatest Golden Dome ever made" over the island. According to him, in the event of a nuclear war, missiles would "fly right over the center of this piece of ice," so Greenland is needed by the US to host such a system.

He added that this defensive infrastructure would also protect Canada, noting that Canada "gets a lot for free from the US" and that its Prime Minister Mark Carney should be grateful for it.

Trump also specifically addressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him not to take credit for creating the Golden Dome technology, as, according to Trump, it is American.