Gary Cohn, former economic advisor to President Donald Trump and current vice chairman of IBM, stated that "Greenland will stay Greenland," suggesting that Trump's previous interest in acquiring the territory was likely a negotiation tactic. Cohn made the remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, highlighting the consensus among U.S. lawmakers that Greenland's status would remain unchanged.

Cohn, who served as director of the White House National Economic Council during Trump's first term, linked the interest in Greenland to the need for access to critical minerals. He noted the bipartisan agreement in the U.S. Congress, following a meeting with a congressional delegation, indicating a unified stance on the matter.

The comments come after Trump's administration reportedly explored the possibility of purchasing Greenland in 2019, an idea that was met with resistance from both Greenland and Denmark, to which the island territory belongs. The potential acquisition was estimated to involve billions of dollars, considering Greenland's strategic location and untapped natural resources.

Cohn also addressed broader geopolitical concerns, stating that "invading an independent country that is part of NATO" would be "over the edge," a remark interpreted as a commentary on the current global landscape. His statement underscores the significance of international alliances and the potential economic repercussions of geopolitical instability.

IBM, where Cohn serves as vice chairman, is a major player in the technology sector, with a market capitalization of approximately $160 billion. The company is heavily invested in the development of artificial intelligence and quantum computing, areas that require access to critical minerals, potentially explaining Cohn's emphasis on the importance of these resources. The future of Greenland's mineral resources and their potential impact on global markets remain a topic of ongoing discussion among political and business leaders.