Gary Cohn, former top economic advisor to President Donald Trump, stated that "Greenland will stay Greenland," dismissing any potential change in ownership of the territory. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Cohn, now vice chairman at IBM, linked Trump's past interest in Greenland to the need for access to critical minerals. Cohn, who previously served as director of the White House National Economic Council from 2017 to 2018, made the comments in response to questions about potential U.S. interest in acquiring the territory.

Cohn also suggested that any notion of invading a country that is already part of NATO would be "a little bit over the edge." His remarks come after reports surfaced during Trump's presidency about the possibility of the U.S. purchasing Greenland from Denmark, an idea that was ultimately rejected by both countries. The potential acquisition was reportedly driven, in part, by Greenland's strategic location and its vast reserves of natural resources, including rare earth minerals crucial for various industries.

Separately, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent addressed concerns regarding potential tariff threats against Europe related to Greenland. Bessent urged observers to "relax" and "let things play out," drawing a parallel to the market reaction to Trump's announcement on U.S. tariffs the previous year. He suggested that the current situation was different, without elaborating on the specific distinctions.

The discussion surrounding Greenland's ownership and potential U.S. interest highlights the growing geopolitical importance of the Arctic region. As ice caps melt and access to natural resources improves, countries are increasingly vying for influence in the area. Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, holds significant strategic value due to its location between North America and Europe, as well as its potential mineral wealth. The U.S. already maintains a military presence in Greenland through the Thule Air Base, a critical component of its ballistic missile early warning system. The Danish government has consistently maintained that Greenland is not for sale.