Tensions Rise as President Trump Arrives at Davos, High-Stakes Meetings in Jeopardy

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President Donald Trump touched down in Zurich shortly before noon on Wednesday, marking a tense arrival at the World Economic Forum in Davos following a three-hour delay. The President’s journey was interrupted when Air Force One was forced to return to Joint Base Andrews due to what White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described as a "minor electrical issue." This logistical setback had immediate diplomatic consequences, forcing the cancellation of a high-stakes bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The meeting was intended to bridge the gap between the two leaders after Merz, who assumed office last year, signalled a desire to avoid escalation while remaining firm on European sovereignty.

Arctic Ambitions and the Threat of Trade War

The backdrop for the summit is a deepening rift over the U.S. administration’s 2026 agenda to acquire Greenland, a move Trump has framed as a necessity for Arctic defence against Russia and China. This "expansionist" policy has met fierce resistance from the European Union, leading to threats of massive tariffs ranging from 25% to 200% on European goods if a deal is not reached by February 1. Tensions reached a fever pitch after the President recently declined to comment on whether he would use military force to secure the territory, sparking widespread alarm across NATO.

Von der Leyen Calls for a 'New Era' of Strength

In a sharp rebuke from Strasbourg, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament that the world has entered a new era defined by "raw power." Calling for a departure from Europe’s "traditional caution," she argued that the continent must strengthen its own defences and economy to survive a "seismic and permanent" shift in the international order. She explicitly condemned the proposed U.S. tariffs as "simply wrong," warning that such internal Western conflicts only serve to empower global adversaries.

Treasury Secretary Urges Diplomacy Ahead of Keynote

Seeking to lower the temperature before the President's keynote address, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged European leaders to abandon their "reflexive anger." Speaking to reporters in Davos, Bessent defended the administration’s stance and advised the international community to "take a deep breath" and wait to hear the President’s formal arguments. As the summit begins, the world's eyes are on Davos to see if the scheduled address will offer a path toward negotiation or further cement the geopolitical divide.