President Donald Trump commanded the world stage today as he spoke at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. The big news — and probably the only “new” news — was that Trump said he had no intention of using military force to take over Greenland, which he deems as vital to the security of the United States.
The Dow Jones average quickly rose more than 300 points after Trump’s speech, but sentiments on the Street can change quickly.
The president urged negotiations with Denmark and NATO to facilitate the U.S. purchase of Greenland, an island three times the size of Texas in land mass. He said the U.S. would “appreciate” any agreement, but if one is not forthcoming, “we will not forget.”
He also stressed that the U.S. has given its all toward NATO and will continue to do so, but expressed doubts that NATO would ever reciprocate if the U.S. faced military danger.
Greenland and NATO as topics came toward the close of his hour-plus speech. The first two-thirds was devoted to a recital of Trump’s 24/7 talking points that I mentioned briefly in a post yesterday.
Trump departed from his prepared speech to single out a few world leaders for less-than-complimentary comments. He criticized President Emmanuel Macron for the sunglasses he wore the day before in a speech he gave, and also recounted threats he made to Macron to help secure lower prescription prices in the U.S.
Trump also called out Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu for claiming his people created Israel’s Golden Dome technology. Trump claimed it was U.S. technology.
His most critical comments, however, were reserved for an unnamed female leader in Switzerland, with whom he had an exchange about tariffs. (He also referred on a few occasions to Greenland as Iceland.)
After the speech, Trump held a Q&A on stage with the WEF President. He is scheduled to meet with other world leaders during his two-day stay, including with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.
Time will tell if his comments about Greenland, NATO, and the EU will lead to any lessening of tensions across the Pond, let alone to a potential agreement, which still seems far off.
