DAVOS, Switzerland – President Donald Trump plunged the World Economic Forum into chaos this morning, officially demanding “immediate negotiations” for the United States to acquire Greenland and declaring the autonomous Danish territory “actually part of North America.” In a speech that silenced the main congress hall, Trump unveiled what aides are calling the ‘Donroe Doctrine,’ explicitly linking the acquisition to national security and threatening punishing economic consequences for European allies who stand in the way.
The ‘Donroe Doctrine’: A New Geopolitical Reality
Breaking with decades of diplomatic norms, President Trump used the global stage at Davos 2026 to redefine the boundaries of American influence. “This enormous, unsecured island is our territory by right of geography and necessity,” Trump told a stunned audience of global leaders. “We are seeking immediate negotiations to finalize this transfer. It is a core national security interest of the United States.”
The declaration marks the formalization of the so-called ‘Donroe Doctrine’—a aggressive reimagining of the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine. Under this new framework, the administration asserts that any European claims in the Western Hemisphere, including the Arctic, are subject to American oversight and potential acquisition. “You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative,” Trump said, staring down the European delegation. ‘Or you can say no, and we will remember.”
‘Greenland Tariffs’: A Trade War on Eight Fronts
The President backed his territorial ambitions with immediate economic threats. The White House subsequently released a framework for “Greenland Tariffs,” targeting eight specific NATO allies: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland.
Starting February 1, goods from these nations will face a 10% levy, escalating to a crippling 25% by June 1 if a deal for the “complete and total purchase” of Greenland is not reached. The move has sent shockwaves through global markets, with the Dow dropping over 800 points as investors digested the prospect of a fractured transatlantic economy.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen immediately condemned the move. Speaking to reporters outside the congress center, she labeled the threats a “historic mistake” that risks “plunging the Western alliance into a downward spiral.”
NATO Cracks Under Pressure
The ultimatum has triggered what analysts are calling the most severe crisis in NATO's 77-year history. The specter of a member state using economic coercion—and implicitly threatening force—against another member to seize territory undermines the foundational trust of Article 5.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who has previously dismissed the idea of a sale as “absurd,” issued a sharp rebuke from Copenhagen. “Greenland is not for sale. It is not Danish property to sell; it belongs to the people of Greenland,” Frederiksen stated. “We will not negotiate with a gun to our head.”
In a bizarre turn during his speech, President Trump repeatedly confused Greenland with Iceland, complaining that NATO allies “were not there for us on Iceland.” The gaffe did little to alleviate fears among Nordic leaders that the administration’s grasp on the region’s geopolitical nuances is tenuous at best.
Strategic Context: The ‘Golden Dome’
Sources inside the White House indicate the push is driven by plans for a ‘Golden Dome’ missile defense system, which military strategists argue requires total operational control over Greenland’s landmass to counter hypersonic threats from Russia and China. While Trump insisted he “won’t use force” to take the island, his caveat—“unless I decide to use excessive strength”—has left European capitals on high alert.
As delegates scramble to respond, the 2026 World Economic Forum has transformed from a conference on global cooperation into the epicenter of a transatlantic divorce. With the February 1 tariff deadline looming, the question remains: will Europe blink, or is the western alliance facing an irreversible schism?
