Gary Cohn, former economic advisor to President Donald Trump, stated that "Greenland will stay Greenland," linking the territory's critical mineral access to Trump's past interest in acquiring it. Cohn, now vice chairman at IBM, made the remarks at Davos, highlighting the consensus among U.S. political leaders regarding Greenland's sovereignty. He noted that during a recent U.S. congressional delegation meeting, both Republicans and Democrats agreed on Greenland's status.

Cohn, who served as director of the White House National Economic Council under Trump, suggested the former president's past comments about purchasing Greenland "may be part of a negotiation," potentially related to securing access to the territory's mineral resources. The U.S. Geological Survey has identified Greenland as holding significant deposits of rare earth elements, crucial for technologies like electric vehicles and wind turbines.

The discussion around Greenland's ownership arose in 2019 when reports surfaced that Trump had repeatedly inquired about the possibility of the U.S. buying the island from Denmark. The idea was met with resistance from both Danish and Greenlandic officials. Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, relies on Denmark for economic support, receiving approximately $600 million annually in grants.

Cohn also addressed broader geopolitical concerns, stating that "invading an independent country that is part of Nato" would be "over the edge," signaling the seriousness with which business leaders are viewing international crises. His comments come as IBM and other tech companies are heavily invested in developing AI and quantum computing, sectors reliant on stable international relations and access to global resources. Greenland has expressed interest in increased U.S. investment, particularly in infrastructure and resource development, while maintaining its current political status.