US President Donald Trump declined on Tuesday to say how far he would go on the Greenland issue but suggested he could reach a deal, as European leaders voiced alarm over his threats to seize the territory from ally Denmark.
Asked how far he would go, hours before departing for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump replied only: "You'll find out for yourself."
"We have a lot of meetings planned for Greenland and I think things are going to go pretty well," Trump told reporters regarding his meetings in Davos.
Denmark has warned that the entire NATO alliance is at risk if Trump follows through on his threats. Over the weekend, Trump promised new tariffs on European countries, including Britain, France and Germany, which sent troops to Greenland in a show of solidarity.
He rejected suggestions that he was jeopardizing a deal last year with the EU, in which allies promised to increase investment in the United States, saying, "They really need that deal with us."
"I think we'll find something where NATO will be very happy and where we'll be very happy," Trump said.
"But we need it for security purposes. We need it for national security and even world security," Trump said of Greenland.
Greenland's leadership has repeatedly said that the vast but sparsely populated island is not for sale.
Asked about widespread opposition to his plans among the Greenlandic population, Trump said: "When I talk to them, I'm sure they'll be thrilled."
Trump has said the United States needs Greenland, which would significantly increase the US's land area, because of the threat of Russia or China invading the island, as climate change opens up waterways in the Arctic.
Neither of the two rival powers claims Greenland, and Denmark has said China has no major investments and has not recently sent any warships to Greenland.
