21 January,2026 08:22 PM IST | Davos | mid-day online correspondent
US President Donald Trump delivers a special address during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos. PIC/AFP
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday repeated his claim that he had stopped a war between India and Pakistan, while also reiterating his controversial remarks on Greenland, saying the United States needs the territory for strategic reasons.
Addressing a packed hall during a special address at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Trump said the US had intervened to prevent conflict between India and Pakistan, as it had done in several other global disputes. "We stopped the war between India and Pakistan, as we did with so many other wars," Trump said, without elaborating.
In the same address, Trump underlined the strategic importance of Greenland, citing its location between the US, China and Russia. He said the US interest in Greenland was driven by national security concerns and not by the presence of rare earth minerals. "Greenland is not land, it's a massive piece of ice. We need it for strategic reasons, not for the massive amount of rare earth minerals buried under ice," he said.
Trump claimed the US had historically played a key role in Greenland's security. "We were a powerful force when we saved Greenland and gave it to Denmark after World War II, but we are much more powerful now," he said.
He added that while he had "tremendous respect" for the people of Greenland and Denmark, only the US could ensure the territory's security. "Denmark is unable to secure Greenland. The United States will secure the people of Greenland. Only the US can protect Greenland," Trump said.
The US President also defended territorial acquisitions, arguing that several European nations had acquired territories in the past. "Many European countries have acquired territories, and there is nothing wrong with it," he said, adding that parts of Europe were now "unrecognisable".
Davos 2026:
Beginning his speech by greeting "so many friends" and "a few enemies" in the audience, Trump launched a sharp attack on Europe, NATO, supporters of clean energy policies and previous US administrations, including former president Joe Biden, whom he referred to as "sleepy".
Trump's remarks are expected to rekindle debate over India-Pakistan relations as well as sovereignty and security concerns in the Arctic region. Greenland is an autonomous territory under the Kingdom of Denmark.
(With PTI inputs)
