NEWSWEEK
Trump Takes Stage at Davos Amid Europe Tensions Over Greenland: Watch Live
Published
Jan 21, 2026 at 03:03 AM EST
Amanda CastroBrendan ColeShane Croucher
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By Amanda Castro, Brendan Cole, Shane Croucher, and John Feng
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U.S. President Donald Trump is in Davos, Switzerland, where he is set to face a showdown with European leaders over his aggressive push to acquire the Danish territory of Greenland—a threat that has led to the biggest rift in the NATO security alliance in decades.
What To Know
Trump has begun to speak in Davos in an address that is focusing on housing and affordability issues for Americans, likely to dominate the political debate in the forthcoming midterm elections, in which his Republican party's majorities in the U.S. House and Senate are at stake.
Trump was delayed three hours after Air Force One was forced to turn back on Tuesday night due to a minor electrical fault. He is scheduled to speak in a few hours at the World Economic Forum to unveil a U.S. housing plan, but has also flagged he will have meetings on the sidelines over Greenland.
European leaders have condemned his plans to take the Arctic territory for security reasons, saying the proposal violates state sovereignty under international law, and that Greenland belongs to its people and Denmark.
Trump's trip to Davos is being dominated by his clash with allies over acquiring Greenland, where he hasn’t ruled out the unprecedented use of military action against a fellow NATO member, which would end the 77-year alliance.
His threat to slap an additional 10 percent tariff on eight European countries from February 1 if they do not cede Greenland has angered allies and forced the EU to threaten trade retaliation.
Europe is “fully prepared to act if necessary” to counter Trump’s tariff threat, says European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, while French President Emmanuel Macron warned of a “trade bazooka” retaliation.
European leaders have already spoken at Davos, saying they are focusing on a new security strategy more independent from Washington, while Canada’s Mark Carney warned the world order was “in the midst of a rupture.”
Ahead of his trip, Trump said: "I think that we will work something out where NATO's going to be very happy and where we're going to be very happy."
But asked how far he is willing to go to acquire Greenland, Trump said: "You'll find out.”
Stay with Newsweek for live updates from President Trump's trip to the annual WEF meeting in Davos.
U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he boards Air Force One as he leaves Washington for Switzerland on January 20, 2026 in Joint Base Andrews, Mar...Read More | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
29 min ago
Jan 21, 2026 at 08:44 AM EST
Trump touts record growth, low inflation in Davos speech
Trump used the start of his address to contrast his first year in office with what he called the “nightmare of stagflation” under the Biden administration. Trump said that America is now experiencing “virtually no inflation and extraordinarily high economic growth,” citing core inflation at 1.6 percent over the past three months and a projected 5.4 percent expansion in the fourth quarter.
He highlighted a string of economic milestones, including 52 stock market records in one year, adding $9 trillion in value to retirement accounts and savings. Trump also said more than 1.2 million people have been lifted off food stamps since his inauguration and pointed to investment commitments totaling up to $20 trillion, which he described as unprecedented globally.
Framing the turnaround as historic, Trump told attendees that the United States had gone from being “a dead country” under Democrats to “the hottest country anywhere in the world.”
32 min ago
Jan 21, 2026 at 08:41 AM EST
Trump hails ‘dramatic economic turnaround’ in Davos speech
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, U.S. President Donald Trump marked the one‑year anniversary of his inauguration by declaring the United States is experiencing “the fastest and most dramatic economic turnaround in our country’s history.”
Trump told attendees that after 12 months back in the White House, the economy is “booming,” with growth, productivity, investment, and incomes all rising. He said that inflation had been "defeated" and described the U.S. border as “virtually impenetrable” following new enforcement measures.
34 min ago
Jan 21, 2026 at 08:39 AM EST
Trump takes Davos stage amid Greenland tariff tensions
U.S. President Donald Trump has begun his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, seizing the spotlight for what is expected to be a wide‑ranging speech.
His appearance comes just days after escalating threats of tariffs against eight European nations over their opposition to Washington’s bid to acquire Greenland, setting the tone for a high‑stakes hour before global leaders and executives.
36 min ago
Jan 21, 2026 at 08:38 AM EST
Crowd gathers in Davos as Trump speech nears
Hundreds of government officials, business leaders, and former policymakers packed into Zone C of Congress Hall at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, awaiting President Donald Trump’s address. A tense mood settled over the room, with some attendees speculating whether the president might be booed if he raised his controversial Greenland proposal. Others worried his delayed arrival could push back the schedule.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was spotted greeting attendees at the front of the room, while Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang made his way through the crowd.
Moments later, a forum staff member announced that Trump’s speech would begin shortly, signaling the president’s imminent arrival.
41 min ago
Jan 21, 2026 at 08:33 AM EST
IN PICTURES: Trump arrives in Davos for World Economic Forum
U.S. President Donald Trump touched down in Davos on Wednesday, stepping off Marine One at the Swiss mountain town’s landing zone before heading to the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting.
The high‑profile gathering, which runs January 19–23, brings together global leaders, executives, and policymakers to debate economic and geopolitical challenges.
US President Donald Trump (C) arrives to board a car after stepping out of Marine One helicopter at Davos Landing Zone in Davos prior to attend the Wo...Read More
US President Donald Trump (C) arrives to board a car after stepping out of Marine One helicopter at Davos Landing Zone in Davos prior to attend the Wo...Read More
44 min ago
Jan 21, 2026 at 08:30 AM EST
Trump moments away from Davos address
President Donald Trump is expected to speak shortly at the World Economic Forum.
His remarks are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. local time (8:30 a.m. ET), with global leaders and business executives gathered to hear him outline his latest views on trade and foreign policy.
45 min ago
Jan 21, 2026 at 08:29 AM EST
Starmer vows Britain ‘will not yield’ on Greenland, defends Chagos deal
Labour leader Keir Starmer used Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday to reaffirm Britain’s stance against U.S. pressure over Greenland, declaring: “I will not yield. Britain will not yield on our principles and values about the future of Greenland under threats of tariffs.”
Starmer condemned President Donald Trump’s tariff threats as “completely wrong” and said Denmark’s prime minister will travel to London tomorrow for bilateral talks. His remarks underscore the U.K.’s alignment with European allies resisting Washington’s push to acquire the Arctic territory.
The comments also followed criticism from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who accused Britain of “letting us down” by agreeing to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Starmer defended the move as consistent with Britain’s values, contrasting it with Trump’s demands for Greenland.
50 min ago
Jan 21, 2026 at 08:24 AM EST
U.S. governors blast Trump’s Greenland push at Davos panel
A bipartisan group of U.S. governors sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s bid to acquire Greenland during a CNN‑hosted panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, calling the proposal “dumb as hell” and “a little weird.”
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear warned the plan had turned America from “leader of the free world to the bully on the playground,” adding that Trump’s Greenland push was “so damaging, so concerning – and this is not who we are.”
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican, acknowledged Trump’s pressure on Europe to bolster defense spending but dismissed the Greenland idea as unnecessary. “We can already put military bases on Greenland,” he said.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer cautioned that the fallout from the proposal could take years to repair, undermining U.S. competitiveness and trust among allies. Speaking later to CNN, she summed up her reaction bluntly: “What the hell?”
1 hours ago
Jan 21, 2026 at 08:09 AM EST
Global markets rattle as Trump’s tariff threats trigger U.S. asset sell-off
A sharp sell‑off in U.S. assets rippled across global markets on Wednesday after President Donald Trump threatened sweeping tariffs on European allies over his push to acquire Greenland.
Asian stocks led the decline, with Taiwan’s Taiex dropping more than 1.5 percent and Japan’s Topix down 1 percent. European trading was mixed, with small losses in France and Germany while U.K. shares held flat. U.S. futures pointed to a modest rebound.
The dollar weakened against the yen but gained on the euro. Gold surged past $4,800 an ounce to a new record, with analysts predicting the metal could breach $5,000 this year amid persistent geopolitical uncertainty.
Tuesday’s remarks from Trump sparked the first “triple sell‑off” in months, with equities, the dollar, and Treasuries all sliding. Yields on 10‑year U.S. bonds climbed as prices fell, underlining investor unease. Japanese government bonds also came under pressure after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called a snap election and pledged costly tax cuts, fueling concerns about fiscal discipline.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Japanese bond turmoil had spilled into Treasuries, adding to volatility. Analysts warned that markets may be losing patience with Trump’s tariff brinkmanship. “Capital flight from the U.S. market is clear,” said Takahide Kiuchi of Nomura Research Institute, urging Washington to reconsider its trade stance.
1 hours ago
Jan 21, 2026 at 07:55 AM EST
Treasury chief Bessent dismisses Denmark’s U.S. bond exit as ‘irrelevant’
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent brushed off concerns about European investors pulling back from American debt, telling reporters at the World Economic Forum in Davos that Denmark’s role is “irrelevant.”
“Denmark’s investment in U.S. Treasury bonds like Denmark itself is irrelevant,” Bessent said when asked about institutional investors exiting the market. He noted that Danish pension fund AkademikerPension’s decision to sell its $100 million in Treasuries was insignificant compared to the $30.8 trillion market. “They’ve been selling treasuries, they have for years. I’m not concerned at all,” he added.
Denmark holds just under $10 billion in U.S. bonds, while the European Union collectively owns about $8 trillion, making it the largest foreign financer of American debt.
1 hours ago
Jan 21, 2026 at 07:40 AM EST
NATO chief Rutte: Alliance cannot exist without U.S.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte dismissed the idea of the alliance functioning without American leadership. “No,” he said when asked if NATO could exist without the United States, calling the country “by far the most powerful nation on earth” and its president “the leader of the free world.”
Rutte emphasized that the U.S. role is indispensable to NATO’s identity and strength, noting that the alliance cannot be envisioned without Washington at its core. He also praised President Donald Trump for pressing member states to increase defense spending, a stance Rutte has frequently highlighted as strengthening NATO’s collective security.
1 hours ago
Jan 21, 2026 at 07:27 AM EST
Zelensky withholds Davos visit amid $800B Ukraine plan stalemate
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is holding off on attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, saying he will remain in Kyiv unless a sweeping $800 billion “Prosperity Plan” is finalized between the U.S., Europe and Ukraine. The initiative, intended to fund post‑war reconstruction, has stalled amid transatlantic tensions over President Donald Trump’s demands for Greenland.
Zelensky underscored the urgency of immediate aid after Russian airstrikes left more than 1 million residents of Kyiv without electricity. “Air defense missiles are needed daily. Weapons are needed daily. Equipment for recovery and reserves is needed daily,” he said in his nightly address, warning against “empty politics or talks with no results.”
The Ukrainian leader added that he could travel to Switzerland at short notice if agreements were reached, but staying away would avoid a clash over Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace,” which could include Russia and Belarus. “Russia is about a body of war,” Zelensky told reporters Tuesday, dismissing the idea of joining such a forum.
Even if Western leaders reach consensus on post‑war guarantees, Zelensky noted, any framework would still require Russian acceptance before taking effect.
2 hours ago
Jan 21, 2026 at 07:13 AM EST
Trump’s Davos arrival tests Europe’s patience over Greenland dispute
When U.S. President Donald Trump lands in Davos on Wednesday, he will face a wary reception from European leaders after two weeks of transatlantic turmoil sparked by his push to seize Greenland.
Many of Europe’s top figures are absent from the World Economic Forum this year, leaving a smaller group of interlocutors who have historically sought to temper Trump’s rhetoric, even as they oppose his Greenland ambitions. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has taken a more conciliatory approach than French President Emmanuel Macron, is among those present. Finnish President Alexander Stubb, joined by his Norwegian counterpart, has already messaged Trump to register opposition to new tariff threats against their countries.
NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte, known for his efforts to flatter Trump in past encounters, is also in Davos. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whose ideological leanings align more closely with Trump, is reportedly scheduled to meet him despite her official agenda placing her in Rome.
2 hours ago
Jan 21, 2026 at 07:00 AM EST
US Commerce Secretary downplays fears over Trump’s Greenland push
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has said "they'll work it out" in referring to the tensions over President Donald Trump's wish to acquire Greenland.
In an interview with Fox Business Lutnick appeared to play down concerns over Trump’s push to own Greenland which he said "matters to us for national security.”
“My guess is they’ll work it out," Lutnick said, .adding that Trump "wants them at the table. He wants them serious.” Lutnick’s remarks follow his op-ed the Financial Times op-ed published Wednesday which said that the U.S. was not going to Davos "to uphold the status quo" and that "we’re going to confront it head-on.”
2 hours ago
Jan 21, 2026 at 06:53 AM EST
Trump arrives in Switzerland
Donald Trump has landed in Switzerland ahead of his address to the world's political and economic elite in Davos after his journey had been disrupted by technical problems on Air Force One
Air Force One touched down at Zurich airport just before 1 p.m. local time in an arrival which was nearly two hours late.
Air Force One made a U-turn over the Atlantic due to a “minor” electrical issue and returned to Joint Base Andrews before heading off again for Switzerland.
The world's media was awaiting Trump to emerge from the aircraft and first on his agenda will be a reception with business leaders, before he makes a speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos later.
Trump’s late arrival has had an impact on his schedule, with a planned bilateral meeting today with German chancellor Friedrich Merz cancelled due to the US delegation’s late arrival, a German source told Reuters.
3 hours ago
Jan 21, 2026 at 06:11 AM EST
“Time of flattery has ended” ex-NATO chief on Trump
Former NATO secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen has told the BBC that the time for flattering President Donald Trump was over and there should be a concerted response by Europe to Trump's "outrageous" comments about acquiring Greenland.
He said that it "would be the end of NATO" if Trump took over Greenland by force as it would amount an attack by one NATO member on another member of the collective defense group. This should focus European countries on their own ability to defend the continent.
"The time of flattery has ended, we can now expect a more firm and more united European response to the outrageous statements by President Trump. What we need now is a more constructive discussion on how we can accommodate the concerns of the American president."
Rasmussen's comments suggest that while he opposes Trump's push to acquire Greenland, he was open to dialogue that could see some sort of compromise.
He said that Trump has helped unite Europe with his rhetoric but the split across the alliance would only serve the interests of Vladimir Putin and other authoritarian leaders.
3 hours ago
Jan 21, 2026 at 05:53 AM EST
Greenland issue must not distract from Ukraine war: NATO chief
More from the question and answer session in which NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, also urged European leaders not to allow the crisis over Greenland to distract from the war started by Russia in Ukraine.
Rutte said that he believed the issue over Greenland could be resolved and that the focus on Ukraine should be the number one priority for European and U.S. security.
At the same discussion, Finland's president Alexander Stubb said that he was more worried about Russia's unwillingness to end the war. “This war has been an utter strategic failure of President Putin," Stubb said, "he increased the size of NATO, he made Ukraine European, he increased the defense budgets of European states.
3 hours ago
Jan 21, 2026 at 05:37 AM EST
NATO chief says alliance needs U.S. and Trump
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has said that "nobody wants" the alliance without the U.S. which is "by far the most powerful nation on earth."
During a discussion on Wednesday in Davos, Rutte was asked if he ever envisioned a time when NATO would not be the cornerstone of European defense, as the alliance faces the crisis of President Donald Trump reiterating his call to acquire Greenland, a territory of founding member Denmark, for American security reasons.
Rutte replied that 75 percent of NATO's GDP came from outside the European Union and that the U.S. which has the world's largest defense budget, was an integral part of the alliance.
"The president of the United States is the leader of the free world and you cannot envision NATO without the leader of the free world being an integral part of the organization and nobody wants it not on the U.S. side, not on the European side," Rutte said during the Q and A.
Rutte said that he was convinced the U.S. would respond if NATO's Article 5 collective defense clause was triggered, "I have no doubt the U.S. would come to the rescue, we will come to the rescue to the U.S .and we need each other for our collective protection."
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte gestures as he speaks during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 21, 2026. Photo by Fa...Read More
4 hours ago
Jan 21, 2026 at 05:13 AM EST
Europe will defend itself “against any form of coercion” says EU chief
Another top European Union official has pledged a stern response to tariff threats by President Donald Trump, with EU Council President Antonio Costa telling the European Parliament "we stand ready to defend ourselves."
In comments ahead of Trump's arrival at Davos, Costa said that the European Union "has the power and the tools" to respond to tariff threats which the U.S. president has made concerning his push to acquire Greenland.
Also on Wedenesday, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said "we now live in a world defined by raw power,” and that as such, Europe "needs its own levers of power.”
European leaders are rallying around the bloc following Trump's tariff threats.
On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron told the World Economic Forum he preferred "respect to bullies" and the "rule of law to brutality.
The comments followed Trump's threat to impose a 200 percent tariff on French wine and champagne, after the French premier declined an invitation to join Trump's international "Board of Peace"
Macron is among officials urging the EU to consider retaliatory options, including an anti-coercion tool nicknamed a "trade bazooka".
4 hours ago
Jan 21, 2026 at 04:52 AM EST
Trump’s tariffs “simply wrong” says EU chief Ursula von der Leyen
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has condemned President Donald Trump's threat of additional tariffs on eight European countries over his quest to acquire Greenland.
Speaking to the European Parliament ahead of Trump's arrival at Davos, she said the U.S. president's quest to acquire Greenland, "the threat of additional tariffs for security reasons is simply wrong".
She told Davos that there had been a "seismic" and "permanent" shift in the international order which is now "defined by raw power." and that as such, Europe mts speed up its push for independence", and get "new levers of power".
Europe's leaders are meeting on Thursday to discuss its response to Trump's threatened tariffs, adding "we are fully prepared to act if necessary with unity, urgency and determination."
5 hours ago
Jan 21, 2026 at 04:11 AM EST
Canada’s PM’s Davos speech laments end of “rules-based order”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney highlighted what he described as the erosion of the rules-based international order in comments that have been interpreted as a criticism of President Donald Trump.
Speaking on day two of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday, Carney said that "every day we're reminded that we live in an era of great power rivalry,” adding that "the rules-based order is fading, that the strong can do what they can, and the weak must suffer what they must.”
Carney said that American hegemony in the global order had been useful for global trade, finance and security, but added that “this bargain no longer works.” The speech got a standing ovation in Congress Hall, and was praised as significant given Trump's push to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory.
“Riveting, extraordinary and brutally honest speech by Mark Carney, Canada’s Prime Minister” Dutch historian Rutger Bregman posted to X.
Read more: Canada’s PM Praised for Speech Marking End of ‘Rules-Based Order’
5 hours ago
Jan 21, 2026 at 04:00 AM EST
Who is travelling with Trump?
President Donald Trump's team of advisors and members of his administration accompanying him to Davos include Secretary of State, Marco Rubio and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Also on the trip will be Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and her deputy James Blair, Trump's policy adviser Stephen Miller, national security adviser Robert Gabriel and political aide Beau Harrison, according to reports.,
Also present will be White House communications director Steven Cheung, White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf, Director of the National Economic Council Kevin Hassett, speechwriter Ross Worthington and State Department ambassador Monica Crowley.
Trump was scheduled to speak at 2.30 local time (8.30 a.m) on Wednesday but it is unclear if his aircraft delay will affect this.
U.S. President Donald Trump makes a brief statement to reporters before departing from the South Lawn of the White House in Marine One on January 20, ...Read More
5 hours ago
Jan 21, 2026 at 03:39 AM EST
Trump will arrive three hours late: Bessent
President Donald Trump will arrive at the Davos international forum of the world's political and economic elite "about three hours late," U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Bessent referred to a minor electrical issue that had forced Trump's plane to return to its Maryland air base.
Rapid Response 47 posted to X on Tuesday night, that the crew aboard Air Force 1 "identified a minor electrical issue. Out of an abundance of caution, AF1 is returning to Joint Base Andrews."
"The president and team will board a different aircraft and continue on to Switzerland," the post added. The Associated Press had reported that the lights in the press cabin of Air Force One went out briefly after takeoff.
Bessent took questions about Trump's tariff threats linked to his ambition to acquire Greenland, saying that allies must understand that Greenland "needs to be part of the United States."
Bessent also said that it would be "very disappointing" if Switzerland "decided to get on the EU bandwagon"" and strengthen ties with the bloc amid escalating tensions with the U.S.
Read More: Air Force One Turns Around Mid-Flight Due to ‘Minor Electrical Issue’
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