“Without Us, You Would All Be Speaking German and a Little Japanese,” Trump Tells Davos Leaders

President Donald Trump on Wednesday told world leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that global history would have taken a very different turn without U.S. involvement in World War II.

Addressing European leaders, Trump said American intervention was decisive in the Allied victory, arguing that without it, German — and to a lesser extent Japanese — would have become dominant global languages.

“Without us right now, you would all be speaking German and a little Japanese,” he said.

During the same appearance, Trump revisited his long-standing interest in Greenland, linking it to World War II history. He said Denmark was unable to defend either itself or Greenland when Germany advanced during the war.

“Denmark fell to Germany after just six hours of fighting, and was totally unable to defend either itself or Greenland. So the United States was then compelled, and we did it,” Trump said.

He criticized the post-war decision by Washington to return Greenland to Danish control, describing it as a strategic mistake.

“After the war, we gave Greenland back to Denmark. How stupid were we to do that? But we did it. And how ungrateful are they now?” he said.

Trump warned that current global security risks exceed those of previous eras, citing missile technology and nuclear weapons.

“So now our country and the world face much greater risks than ever before, because of missiles, because of nuclear weapons — warfare that I can’t even talk about,” he said.

The president said he is seeking “immediate negotiations” with the aim of discussing a potential U.S. acquisition of Greenland, while ruling out the use of military force.

Trump also pointed to recent U.S. military action in Venezuela, where American forces earlier this month captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. He praised the operation and said other countries should be more cooperative with the United States.

“More people should cooperate like the country,” he said.