U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent spoke to journalists in Davos ahead of the World Economic Forum.
Wearing a scarf with the American flag, he said the focus of the United States is to send a clear message that “America First does not mean America alone,” and that “President Trump will speak on how American leadership is viewed in the world,” according to The Guardian.
The senior U.S. official emphasized that the priority will be “pushing for growth and removing rules [restrictions],” referring to economic development.
Regarding Greenland, Bessent stated that he has not been updated on the latest developments due to travel, but noted that “there are many calls coming in” and “everyone must take the president’s words seriously.”
He added that he is unaware of the letter Trump sent to the Norwegian Prime Minister, but called it an “absolute lie” to suggest that the U.S. president is deciding Greenland’s future “because of the Nobel Prize.”
“The president views Greenland as a strategic asset for the United States. We will not transfer the security of our hemisphere to anyone else,” declared the Treasury Secretary.
When asked about potential trade retaliation from European partners if Trump seeks control over Greenland, Bessent said such actions would be “very unwise.”
