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Almost 'No Case' For Trump's Greenland's Demands, Says Daniel Fried
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January 20, 2026
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12:32Now PlayingFormer State Department official Daniel Fried said it's unclear whether Trump's threats to seize Greenland are real or a negotiating ploy but there still is a path to an outcome that gives the US more of presence on the Arctic island and keeps the NATO alliance intact. Fried also weighed in on the presidents offer of a seat on his newly announced 'board of peace' to Russian president Vladimir Putin, saying he doesn't understand the 'sense' of the offer for US interests.
Donald Trump’s top economic advisers sought to downplay the risk of a US invasion of Greenland at the World Economic Forum in Davos, even as the president himself pledged to push forward with the idea of acquiring the Danish island.
US Treasury Scott Bessent urged allies to honor their trade agreements and dismissed the idea that countries would start dumping Treasuries, as European officials explore possible retaliatory measures should the president follow through on his latest tariff threat.
“Sit back, take a deep breath, do not retaliate,” Bessent said. “Have an open mind. Why this rapid response?”
It’s “possible” Trump is setting the scene for negotiations over the semi-autonomous island, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in response to a question about Trump’s threats of tariffs. “I would say that that is an appropriate use of tariffs.”
And Howard Lutnick, the US Commerce Secretary, projected calm, saying during a panel discussion that, “If we’re going to have a kerfuffle, so be it. But we know where it’s going to end. It’s going to end in a reasonable manner.”
The defensive posture highlighted the firestorm awaiting Trump when he is expected to arrive in Davos on Wednesday following his threat of new duties on products from allies who have opposed his bid to acquire the Danish territory.
Trump has vowed to slap 10% import surtaxes on eight European nations, with France singled out for an additional crushing levy on its wine — over his further ire with President Emmanuel Macron for rejecting an invitation to back his latest peace initiative.
Trump said earlier Tuesday that he would meet with various parties to discuss the Greenland matter. But on Monday night he indicated he remained unbowed, telling reporters “we have to have” the land mass between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans.
“They can’t protect it,” Trump said, noting he expected little push-back from European leaders. “Denmark, they’re wonderful people. And I know the leaders are very good people, but they don’t even go there.”
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