Trump should not use economic force to acquire Greenland, Ken Griffin says
President Donald Trump should not threaten Europe with economic force as leverage to acquire Greenland, Citadel CEO Ken Griffin told CNBC in an interview.
Trump should persuade European allies that it makes sense for the U.S. to acquire the island, Griffin said.
“It should not be done abruptly,” Griffin said. “It should not be done under any form of either military or economic force. That’s just not the way to deal with our allies here in Europe.”
Trump has threatened several European countries, including Denmark, with tariffs that could shoot as high as 25% if they do not meet his demands on Greenland.
CNBC Pro subscribers can watch the full interview with Griffin here.
The president will sit down for an interview with CNBC’s Joe Kernen on Wednesday.
— Spencer Kimball
Stocks moved higher after Trump ruled out military action on Greenland
Trump arrived in Davos amid heightened geopolitical tensions
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent attends the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 20, 2026.
Denis Balibouse | Reuters
Fresh off the first anniversary of his second term in office, President Donald Trump arrived at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
The U.S. president is attempting to acquire Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark, which has caused much consternation among fellow members of the NATO military alliance.
On Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC: “The U.S. is back, and this is what U.S. leadership looks like.”
—Christina Cheddar Berk