US President Donald Trump on Wednesday used his platform at the World Economic Forum in Davos to challenge the established narrative regarding Israel's security infrastructure, claiming the missile defense system Israel currently enjoys is fundamentally American. "What we did for Israel was amazing," Trump told the audience, referring to the jointly developed Arrow interceptors that will serve as the basis for the ongoing Golden Dome system currently in the works in the US. He detailed a direct confrontation with the Israeli premier over the issue. "I told Bibi to stop taking credit for the Dome. It's our technology. We wiped out the Iranian nuclear program. We took out [Iranian general] Qassem Soleimani, we took out ISIS leader al-Baghdadi," he stated. "Hamas agreed to give up their weapons, they will be blown away if they don't do it," he warned.
The address also featured a renewed and detailed demand for the US acquisition of Greenland, saying the new missile technology would be used over the island to protect Canada. Trump argued that leasing the territory was strategically insufficient. "All we are asking for is to get Greenland including right, title and ownership. You can't defend it on a lease. Legally it's not totally defensible. And also psychologically, who the hell wants to protect a lease. Much of the war will take place on that piece of ice," he said. He invoked the US military's role during the 1940s as a precedent for ownership and claimed Denmark, which holds Greenland, was not "grateful" for what the US did to protect that territory after the Nazis took over the country "in five hours."
"All we are asking for is a place called Greenland, which we already had as a trustee after we defeated the Germans in WW2. We were a powerful force there and we are a more powerful force now. Our battleships are 100 times more powerful than in the war," he added.
Trump dismissed concerns that purchasing the territory would harm relations with European allies. "This would not be a threat to NATO. It would greatly enhance the alliance. The US is treated very unfairly by NATO. We give so much and get so little in return. I have done more to help NATO by far than any other person. You wouldn't have NATO if I were not involved in my first term," he claimed. However, he expressed frustration with Denmark's refusal to sell. "We gave it back. How ungrateful are they. We face much greater risk because of missiles and weapons... it's the US alone that can protect this giant piece of ice and improve it and make it good and safe for Europe. I am seeking immediate negotiations to acquire Greenland," he declared. On at least three occasions in his speech he conflated Greenland with Iceland.
The president recounted Denmark's wartime history to justify his stance. "Denmark fell to Germany in six hours. We felt an obligation to protect Greenland. They tried to get a hold of it. We set up bases there for Denmark. We fought for Denmark. It's a big piece of ice. We saved Greenland and prevented our enemies from getting a foothold in our hemisphere," Trump said, according to the report. Despite his harsh words, he insisted he respected the local population. "I have tremendous respect for people of Denmark and Greenland. No nation is in any position to secure Greenland other than the US," he said. He framed the purchase as an obvious necessity. "Ultimately these are matter of national security. More clear than what's going on in Greenland. Do you want me to say something on Greenland?" he asked.
He outlined a clear expectation of loyalty from allies, regarding Greenland, but he ruled out using force to take over the Danish territory. "I don't want to use force. I won't use force... but you can say yes and we will be very appreciative. You can say no and we will remember. A strong America means a strong NATO," he warned.
Regarding NATO, Trump claimed credit for forcing member states to increase defense spending significantly. "Until I came along NATO was supposed to pay only 2% of the GDP on defense. But I got NATO to pay 5%, something people said was not possible," he asserted. He contrasted this with the situation in Ukraine under the current administration. "I inherited a mess with Russia and Ukraine. It is terrible what happened. Biden had given Ukraine and NATO 350 billion dollars. I came in, and just like the southern border, just like the economy, I said, this place is in trouble. Those things were out of control." he noted.
Trump also highlighted US military superiority, referencing specific hardware. "We have the best equipment F-47, the newest one. I wonder why they called it the 47. They are supposed to be undetectable like the B-2, they did their job. We want a piece of ice for protecting the world," he said. On economic issues, he criticized price disparities in global markets. "I had to use tariffs. A pill costs 10 dollars in London, costs 130 dollars in NY or LA. Friends of mine say we can buy this in London for nothing, because America was subsidizing the entire world. I watched [France's President Emmanuel] Macron with the sunglasses. 'What the Hell?'," he remarked.
The president attacked President Joe Biden's record directly. "Biden auto-penned much of the damage, the worst president ever. I don't think a sane president would have signed what he signed," he stated. However, he remained skeptical of reciprocal support. "The problem with NATO is that we will be there for them 100 percent. I am not sure they will be for us if we gave them a call. I know them all very well. With all the blood, sweat, and tears..." he said, according to the report.
In a final comment on energy policy, Trump criticized wind turbines. "They kill the birds and ruin your landscape. Stupid people buy them," he concluded, saying that China makes all of them but they don't use them. "I didn't see a single one in China."
