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The Greenland Standoff: Trump's Davos Demand Sparks Trade War Threats
The World Economic Forum in Davos is usually a place for polite chats and business deals. But the 2026 summit has been thrown into chaos by a bombshell speech from U.S. President Donald Trump that's left world leaders stunned.
The drama centres on Trump's aggressive demand to buy Greenland. During a 70-minute speech, he called for "immediate negotiations" with Denmark, framing it not as a property deal but as a "national security priority" for America. He made it clear: he wants the territory, and he expects everyone to get on board.
The mood turned icy when Trump issued what many are calling a threat. While he ruled out using the military, he warned Danish leaders that refusing would be "remembered forever." To back this up, he's threatened a 10% tariff on any nation that opposes him—targeting the UK, France, and Germany directly.
European leaders have hit back hard. Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Parliament that Britain won't be bullied, calling the tariff threats "completely wrong" and insisting Greenland's future belongs to its own people, not the highest bidder. The EU is preparing a massive €93 billion retaliation package targeting American cars and bourbon, whilst French President Emmanuel Macron slammed the move as "new colonialism."