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Trump claims Europe would 'speak German' without US, ignites fury
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Donald Trump reignited transatlantic tensions by asserting that without American intervention, Europeans would now be speaking German-a remark widely condemned as offensive and historically inaccurate.
Trump's comment overlooked the fact that German is one of Switzerland's four official languages, where the forum was held. Leaders from Brussels to Berlin and Paris dismissed his speech as arrogant and misguided, particularly as he delivered it on European soil to allies he has repeatedly criticized.
Greenland tensions persist despite tariff retreat
While Trump ruled out military action to acquire Greenland-a statement met with relief in Europe-he maintained his desire to purchase the autonomous Danish territory, which its government has repeatedly stated is not for sale.
Hours after the forum, Trump announced on social media that he was abandoning threatened tariffs on eight European nations, claiming he had brokered a "framework" for Arctic cooperation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. However, details of how this aligns with his demand for outright ownership of Greenland remain unclear.
The proposed 10% tariffs, set to take effect on February 1, were abruptly withdrawn, but Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen warned that Trump's ambitions had not shifted. "The president's goal remains intact," he told reporters in Copenhagen before Trump's reversal.
Historical distortions and NATO criticisms draw ire
Trump's speech included a revisionist account of World War II, falsely asserting the U.S. had "given back" Greenland after securing it during the conflict. In reality, Greenland has never been part of the United States. He also accused European NATO members of failing to support America, singling out Denmark for its 1940 surrender to Germany after six hours of fighting.
His remarks ignored Denmark's contributions to U.S.-led missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, where it suffered 44 military fatalities-proportionally higher than most allies. Other NATO nations, including France, also backed the U.S. after the 9/11 attacks, a fact Trump omitted.
Macron mocked, EU prepares for emergency summit
French President Emmanuel Macron faced personal ridicule from Trump, who mocked his appearance in sunglasses (worn due to an eye condition) and his "tough" rhetoric at Davos. "Hard to believe, isn't it?" Trump quipped, despite claiming to like Macron.
The European Union will convene an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday, with leaders adopting their strongest language yet in response to U.S. policies. While Trump's tariff retreat may ease immediate tensions, EU officials remain skeptical of his Arctic "framework" and may shelve plans for retaliatory measures, including the bloc's so-called "trade bazooka."
Greenland prepares for 'crisis' amid uncertainty
In Nuuk, Greenland's capital, officials released a brochure advising residents on how to respond to a "crisis" in the territory. Self-Sufficiency Minister Peter Borg described the document as an "insurance policy," though he stressed that Greenland's government does not anticipate needing to use it.
Trump's insistence that Greenland's acquisition would be a "reasonable transaction"-ignoring its status as sovereign EU territory-has deepened European frustration. His opening boast that Americans are "very happy" with his leadership contrasted sharply with the reception in Europe, where his remarks were met with disbelief and exasperation.
