Trump calls Europe unrecognizable at WEF | EUROtoday
January 21, 2026
Trump once more questions NATO’s dedication to defend US
President Donald Trump questioned whether or not NATO would again the United States if it referred to as on the navy alliance.
“We will be there for them a 100%, but I am not sure that they’d be there for us,” he mentioned in his speech on the WEF.
“With all the money we have spent, with all the blood, sweat and tears, I don’t know that they’ll be there for us,” he mentioned. “They are certainly not there for us on Iceland [he likely meant Greenland].”
He additionally questioned NATO’s dedication on Tuesday night time forward of his journey to Davos.
His evaluation comes regardless of NATO’s collective protection settlement, referred to as Article 5, which states that an assault towards one member shall be thought-about an assault towards all. Article 5 has solely been triggered as soon as, after the September 11, 2001, terror assaults on the US, when all its allies positively responded.
The remarks additionally come as Trump is pushing for management of Greenland from fellow NATO member Denmark, elevating fears of a rift that might destabilize the alliance.
https://p.dw.com/p/57BzB
January 21, 2026
Trump says US is not going to use power to take Greenland
US President Donald Trump dominated out buying Greenland via power.
Speaking on the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, he mentioned the United States by no means requested for something from its allies.
“We probably won’t get anything unless I use excessive strength and force. We would be, frankly, unstoppable,” he mentioned.
He added that he wouldn’t try this.
“People thought I would use force. I don’t have to use force, I don’t want to use force, I won’t use force,” Trump mentioned.
“All the United States want is a place called Greenland,” he mentioned, including that the US wanted the island to make sure US nationwide safety.
“You can say ‘yes,’ and we will be very appreciative,” the US president mentioned. “Or you can say ‘no,’ and we will remember.”
https://p.dw.com/p/57Bv6
January 21, 2026
Trumps confuses Iceland for Greenland
Trump appeared to confuse Greenland and Iceland in his handle at Davos.
After referring to Greenland as a “piece of ice” a number of instances, the US president talked about Iceland twice whereas speaking about his plans to achieve management of Greenland, a a lot bigger island.
Iceland is an impartial nation between Greenland and the UK. Trump has not spoken earlier than about eager to take that individual island.
https://p.dw.com/p/57Bup
January 21, 2026
Trump seeks negotiations to purchase Greenland
US President Donald Trump mentioned Greenland is sitting “undefended in a key strategic security.”
“It is the United States alone that can protect this giant mass of land, this giant piece of ice, develop it and improve it and make it so it is good for Europe and safe for Europe and good for us,” Trump mentioned.
He mentioned he was looking for “immediate negotiations” to debate buying the Danish territory of Greenland.
Denmark and Greenland’s leaders beforehand rejected Trump’s advances.
Trump mentioned he had “tremendous respect” for the folks of Greenland and Denmark, however added that no nation might defend Greenland apart from the United States.
https://p.dw.com/p/57BrZ
Crowds outdoors corridor as Trump speaks
The 900-seat plenary corridor the place Donald Trump is addressing the World Economic Forum was full of individuals keen to listen to what the US president has to say.
Many delegates who could not enter the plenary corridor are ready on the staircases resulting in the corridor to catch a glimpse of the US president.
One can hear Trump’s voice taking part in on a number of of the smartphones and notebooks the place the attendees are following the speech.
https://p.dw.com/p/57Br1
January 21, 2026
Trump begins by specializing in financial points
US President Donald Trump centered on modifications he made to the US financial coverage within the first a part of his speech on the World Economic Forum.
He claimed a “miracle is taking place” within the US economic system and proclaimed his nation was the world’s “economic engine.”
“When the United States go up, you follow,” he advised the world leaders gathered at Davos.
https://p.dw.com/p/57BlN
January 21, 2026
Trump says Europe is heading within the flawed course
US President Donald Trump says, “Europe is not heading in the right direction.”
Speaking on the World Economic Forum in Davos, he blamed “unchecked migration” and “endless foreign imports.”
“Certain places in Europe are not recognizable anymore,” he mentioned.
https://p.dw.com/p/57BeL
January 21, 2026
Trump lands in Davos to handle world leaders
US President Donald Trump has arrived on the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, after a quick delay attributable to {an electrical} difficulty on Air Force One.
The aircraft returned to Washington earlier than Trump switched plane and continued his journey.
The White House says his late arrival is not going to have an effect on his scheduled handle to international leaders.
Trump’s speech is predicted to deal with home coverage, however might also contact on his controversial curiosity in Greenland and the latest US operation that ousted Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro.
A White House official who spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One mentioned he would additionally talk about his new “Board of Peace” that may oversee the rebuilding of Gaza.
He’s additionally set for a number of bilateral conferences with world leaders.
https://p.dw.com/p/57BXM
WATCH: Trump’s Greenland threats loom over Davos talks
Nicole Frölich
Trump’s threats to take over Greenland and strained transatlantic ties are dominating this yr’s World Economic Forum.
California Governor Gavin Newsom accused world leaders of being too comfortable on Trump. A US skilled weighs in.
https://p.dw.com/p/57B9j
Davos anxious forward of Trump’s handle
Donald Trump is about to ship a speech at what he predicts will be an fascinating assembly in Davos.
The primary congress middle, the place he’s anticipated to talk, is buzzing with anticipation. There is a way of anxiousness, even confusion, about what the US president goes to say.
Trump’s affect on this yr’s Davos is obvious within the discussions happening on the streets. People have been throwing round phrases reminiscent of “the changed global order” and “transatlantic strains.”
But most are hopeful that these strains might be ironed out amicably and that issues will not go downhill from right here.
https://p.dw.com/p/57BOh
January 21, 2026
United Nations ‘underneath outright assault,’ Baerbock warns
The United Nations is “under outright attack,” General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock warned.
“Since the beginning of this year, … it has become even more clear that we are not all singing from the same songbook anymore, and due to this, more and more member states hesitate when circumstances demand principled conviction,” Baerbock mentioned on the World Economic Forum in Davos.
“The UN is not only under pressure, but under outright attack,” the previous German international minister mentioned.
Her assertion comes as US President Donald Trump is predicted to launch the constitution for his new Board of Peace at Davos on Thursday.
The physique, tasked by the UN with Gaza reconstruction, might increase its function to different conflicts — a transfer critics see as difficult the UN’s authority and one not lined by a UN decision.
Baerbock urged nations to defend the worldwide rules-based order, warning that international peace and financial stability depend upon it.
“The vast majority of countries know that international peace is their life insurance policy and that global rules are also necessary for the success of their economies and development,” she mentioned.
https://p.dw.com/p/57BME
January 21, 2026
Report: Delay might scupper Trump-Merz assembly
German information company DPA reviews that Trump’s flight delay makes it unlikely for the US president to maintain his appointment with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday. The two leaders had been on account of meet for bilateral talks forward of Trump’s speech in Davos.
DPA cited unnamed authorities sources on the matter, with Reuters carrying the same report.
Merz had mentioned he hoped to speak with Trump on the sidelines at Davos on Wednesday, to debate Greenland, tariff threats and the so-called Board of Peace the president is looking for to determine.
Merz, who’s already in Switzerland, is scheduled to handle the World Economic Forum on Thursday.
https://p.dw.com/p/57B5L
January 21, 2026
Trump’s aircraft lands in Switzerland’s Zurich after prolonged delay
US President Donald Trump arrived in Zurich, Switzerland, on path to the WEF discussion board with different world leaders within the Alpine village of Davos on Wednesday.
Trump’s normal presidential aircraft, Air Force One, was compelled to make an unscheduled cease at a US base after creating {an electrical} difficulty and forcing him to change planes, considerably delaying his arrival at Zurich.
He was set to talk at 2:30 p.m. (1330 GMT), however this may seemingly be pushed again.
https://p.dw.com/p/57Apy
January 21, 2026
Heads of European Central Bank, European Commission and European Council slam US Greenland antics
European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde, answering journalists’ questions in Davos on Wednesday, voiced concern over the present actions of the US, particularly concerning President Trump’s designs on Greenland.
Asked if she considered the US as an EU “ally” or an EU “adversary,” Lagarde merely mentioned the US is “behaving very strangely” for an ally.
“When you are allies under the North Atlantic Treaty, when you have been allies for decades and have been part of each other’s history, threatening to seize territory that is clearly not for sale, such as Greenland, and waving tariff restrictions, and various other restrictions on international trade, is not really behaving like an ally,” she mentioned.
Lagarde added that she hoped for some readability on the difficulty, “once President Trump has redefined his position this afternoon.”
Lagarde’s sentiments had been echoed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, with von der Leyen calling Trump’s threats of punitive tariffs a “mistake” and Costa saying his actions pose a grave risk to European prosperity and safety.
https://p.dw.com/p/57Apl
January 21, 2026
US Treasury Secretary Bessent slams Denmark as ‘irrelevant’
While answering questions earlier than the arrival of his boss US President Donald Trump in Davos, Switzerland, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent disregarded issues about European sell-offs of US bonds.
As Trump has turned up stress on allies, these have in flip pitched the thought of withdrawing long-term investments within the US.
“Denmark’s investment in the US Treasury bonds, like Denmark itself, is irrelevant,” Bessent replied when requested in regards to the US ally.
“I’m not concerned at all,” he mentioned, including, “Again, as treasury secretary, I see our Treasury auctions. We’ve had record foreign investment.”
https://p.dw.com/p/57AaU
https://www.dw.com/en/davos-2026-trump-calls-europe-unrecognizable-at-wef/live-75560683?maca=en-rss-en-bus-2091-rdf