Trump rules out taking Greenland by force

UNITED States President Donald Trump has doubled down on his threats to annex Greenland, saying only the US could secure the Arctic territory, but he ruled out using force.

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Mr Trump, speaking in Switzerland, said he wanted “immediate negotiations” to “discuss the acquisition” of the mineral-rich Arctic island, claiming “this would not be a threat to Nato” but would instead “enhance” the alliance’s security.

Earlier, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he would “not yield” in his stance over Greenland in the face of Mr Trump’s demands.

Appearing to rule out taking the territory with military intervention, Mr Trump told the World Economic Forum in the Swiss resort of Davos: “We probably won't get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force, where we would be, frankly, unstoppable - but I won’t do that. I don’t have to use force, I don’t want to use force, I won't use force.”

Mr Trump launched fresh attacks on European allies by calling Denmark, to which Greenland belongs, “ungrateful” after America’s “stupid” post-Second World War decision to “give Greenland back to Denmark”.