Greenland in the Spotlight at Davos Summit

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Trump urges negotiations, Europe pushes back

At the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 21, 2026, President Donald Trump called the United States the "economic engine of the planet." He criticised European allies while sharing his vision for acquiring Greenland. Speaking to a group of global leaders, whom he humorously labelled "friends" and "a few enemies", Trump promoted what he called an "economic miracle" from his tariff policies and domestic deregulation. He claimed he had eliminated "inherited" inflation, challenging experts who predicted a global recession. "When America booms, the entire world booms," he declared, urging other countries to follow his model instead of the radical-left policies Europe is using, which he argued are harming the continent through poor immigration and trade practices.

Greenland Acquisition and Diplomatic Tension  

Trump's speech was overshadowed by growing tensions over Greenland. The European Union opposed the acquisition, and Denmark, along with eight NATO allies, has reinforced military presence in the region under "Operation Arctic Endurance." Nonetheless, Trump insisted that buying Greenland would "greatly enhance" the security of the alliance. While he joked about Greenland being a "piece of ice," he emphasised the strategic need for the territory and proposed a "Golden Dome" missile defence system. Importantly, Trump said he would not use military force to take the island, expressing a preference for a negotiated agreement. However, he threatened to raise tariffs on his allies, starting at 10% on February 1 and possibly reaching 25% by June, until a deal for the "complete and total purchase" of Greenland is made.

Venezuela's Future and Oil Interests  

Trump then focused on South America, forecasting a bright future for Venezuela after the January 3 U.S. operation that captured former President Nicolás Maduro. He praised the interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, for cooperating with U.S. efforts, noting that they chose negotiation over conflict. Trump stated that "every major oil company" is eager to return to Venezuela, predicting the country would generate more wealth in the next six months than it has in the last twenty years. He framed this as a victory for his administration's ability to restore economic stability to a troubled nation.

Tension at Davos and Protests  

As Trump wrapped up his speech, the mood was tense both inside and outside the Congress Centre. Distant protesters signalled public disagreement with Washington’s recent foreign policy. Inside, European leaders like Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen prepared for an emergency summit to discuss their response to what they called "new colonialism." With U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent advising allies to "take a deep breath," the world now waits to see if Trump's Davos speech marks the start of a new territorial era or a serious break in the traditional Western alliance.