Trump: US "should have kept" Greenland after WWII

US President Donald Trump reignited his call for the United States to acquire Greenland from Denmark, during his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, stating that the US "should have kept it" after returning the territory to Denmark post-World War Two. 

During his address, Trump suggested that Greenland, which he described as a “giant piece of ice,” should be under US control due to its strategic importance, Caliber.Az reports.

Talking about World War Two, he said "after the war we gave Greenland back to Denmark. How stupid were we to do that?"

Trump further emphasised that Greenland’s future, and by extension the future of NATO, depended on the US.

“It’s the United States alone that can protect this giant mass of land, this giant piece of ice,” he declared. 

The president went on to suggest that Denmark had a choice in the matter.

“You can say yes, and we'll be very appreciative, or you can say no and we will remember,” he added. 

He then noted that it is the "US alone that can protect this giant mass of land, this giant piece of ice, develop it and improve it."

He framed the acquisition of Greenland as a relatively small request compared to the immense support the US has provided to the alliance.

"All I'm asking for is a piece of ice," he said.

An analysis by the BBC reminds that in 1941 - during World War Two - the US and Denmark signed an agreement, allowing the US to defend Greenland to prevent Nazi Germany from taking it over. However, the agreement did not involve a transfer of sovereignty, meaning Greenland never became US territory.

By Sabina Mammadli