Bessent Says Greenland Vital to Trump Golden Dome Shield/ Neweslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Greenland is central to President Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defense plan, warning that foreign control of the island could expose the U.S. to conflict. Speaking at Davos, Bessent called Greenland essential for securing the Western Hemisphere. He urged global leaders not to retaliate over Trump’s recent tariffs.
Trump’s Greenland Strategy Quick Looks
- Scott Bessent: Greenland vital to Trump’s Golden Dome defense system
- Trump believes U.S. must not outsource security amid global threats
- Greenland’s military value and Arctic location seen as strategic assets
- Bessent warns of potential “kinetic conflict” if U.S. doesn’t control Greenland
- Greenland hosts a key U.S. military base and expanding Arctic trade routes
- Trump calls Greenland “imperative” for global and national security
- NATO Secretary General Rutte backs further dialogue on the issue
- Bessent: “Take a deep breath. Do not retaliate.”
Deep Look: Trump’s Greenland Push Framed as Defense Priority at Davos
DAVOS, Switzerland — In a high-stakes appearance at the World Economic Forum, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent outlined President Donald Trump’s national security rationale for acquiring Greenland, linking the effort directly to the administration’s “Golden Dome” missile defense system.
Speaking live on stage Tuesday, Bessent emphasized that the world’s largest island — a semi-autonomous Danish territory — plays a pivotal role in Trump’s vision for securing the Western Hemisphere.
“The president believes the U.S. must not outsource our national security. Greenland is essential for the Golden Dome missile shield,” Bessent told FOX Business host Maria Bartiromo during a panel discussion.
According to Bessent, Trump fears a geopolitical vacuum in Greenland could lead to instability or worse.
“The president is worried that if there were an incursion into Greenland, the U.S. would be called upon to defend it anyway. He strongly believes it must be part of the United States to prevent a conflict before it erupts — rather than getting exposed into a hot conflict,” he added.
The comments represent the clearest justification yet from the administration on why Trump is aggressively pursuing Greenland, an issue that has sparked tensions with European allies and rattled global markets.
Bessent says ‘do not retaliate’ against US for its Greenland plans
When asked at Davos about the emergency summit E.U. leaders are planning in response to U.S. plans for Greenland,
Bessent said: “I would say exactly what I said after Liberation Day last April, when the president imposed tariff levels on the whole world. I tell everyone sit back, take a deep breath. Do not retaliate. Do not retaliate. The president will be here tomorrow, and he will get his message across.”
A Strategic Arctic Prize
Though once a niche foreign policy topic, Greenland has rapidly emerged as a focal point in global strategy, thanks to its natural resources, its control over vital Arctic shipping lanes, and the presence of the U.S. military’s Thule Air Base — a key site for missile tracking and early warning systems.
With melting ice caps opening new naval routes and China and Russia increasing their Arctic presence, Greenland has become — in Trump’s view — “imperative for National and World Security.”
In a Truth Social post Tuesday, Trump stated:
“I had a very good call with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte about Greenland. We agreed to meet in Davos. Greenland is imperative. There can be no going back — and everyone agrees.”
That optimism is not universally shared.
Diplomatic Fallout & Tariff Tensions
Trump’s recent decision to impose 10% tariffs on eight NATO countries — including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland — has drawn condemnation across Europe. The move is widely seen as economic retaliation for their collective rejection of the U.S. bid to acquire Greenland.
While European Union officials are preparing a potential response — including retaliatory tariffs and the possible use of the EU’s Anti-Coercion Instrument — Bessent urged restraint.
“I tell everyone, sit back, take a deep breath. Do not retaliate. The president will be here tomorrow and he’ll get his message across,” Bessent said.
Trump is scheduled to speak at the Davos summit on Wednesday, where he’s expected to further outline his Arctic strategy and national security agenda.
Domestic Messaging and Defense Doctrine
Behind the scenes, the White House has framed the Greenland effort as part of Trump’s broader doctrine of “preemptive national defense” — one that prioritizes direct U.S. control over key global chokepoints, rather than relying on allied cooperation.
“There’s an opportunity here to prevent a future war by removing ambiguity,” Bessent said. “No nation will try to control Greenland if the U.S. controls Greenland.”
Trump’s allies — including Fox News contributor Larry Kudlow — have also rallied behind the plan, calling it a “bold, forward-looking defense strategy” that could safeguard American interests for generations.
Strategic Reality or Symbolic Power Play?
Critics, however, argue that Trump’s Greenland push is more about symbolism and showmanship than sound policy. With tensions already high over tariffs and transatlantic relations strained, some see the Greenland strategy as yet another flashpoint that could undermine NATO unity.
Still, Bessent dismissed that characterization and encouraged world leaders in Davos to approach the issue with “an open mind.”
“The ‘why’ behind this plan is often misunderstood,” Bessent said. “But when you step back and consider the Arctic threats, the energy potential, the shipping routes, and the military posture — it all adds up.”
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