Posted originally on CTH on January 20, 2026 | Sundance

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is in Davos ahead of President Trump’s visit on Wednesday and Thursday.  Secretary Bessent was asked by the assembled media about current administration policy toward Greenland.  WATCH:

What most people don’t understand about the strategically worded letter to Norway’s leftist Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, is how President Trump has just framed Støre as the defacto head of Brussels, representing the interests of the EU toward the framework of Greenland.

It’s not about the Nobel Peace Prize; it’s something far bigger.  President Trump did not initiate contact with PM Støre; the contact was first made by Støre calling President Trump to notify him that their position was to defend Greenland against any threat from a non-NATO nation.  President Trump asked how Norway was going to secure that pledge and Støre had no response.

Trump is correct; we cannot abdicate our own security to the promises of other nations.  This perspective not only applies toward the USA but also applies toward the EU and is the entire reason why Trump has told NATO they need to be able to defend themselves.

Norway said it cannot defend itself from Russian threats and needs the security of the U.S.  Accepting this statement Trump rightly asks: if you cannot defend yourself then how can you possibly defend Greenland.  Støre had no reply.  President Trump is unwilling to accept platitudes and statements in lieu of structural reality.

Prime Minister Støre previously said, “Norway’s position is firm: Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Norway fully supports the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark. There is broad agreement in NATO on the need to strengthen security in the Arctic, including in Greenland.”

In context President Trump’s position makes a great deal of pragmatic sense.

President Trump will not abdicate vital USA strategic security on the hope that NATO will defend our interests if needed.  In fact, the quagmire and inability of Europe to defend a European country like Ukraine proves the pragmatic point.  If Europe cannot organize strategic defense of Ukraine, then why the heck would Trump believe Europe would organize the strategic defense of Greenland.

Denmark cannot protect itself from China and/or Russia.  Why would the United States believe Denmark could protect Greenland?