At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday, multiple Western leaders issued forceful responses to U.S. President Trump's claims regarding Greenland, signaling a delicate moment for transatlantic alliance relations.
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized European leaders for displaying an attitude of "complicity" regarding Trump's demands to purchase or annex Greenland, stating they are being "played" by Trump and urging Europe to "stand up straight" and resist him. French President Emmanuel Macron, in his speech, denounced U.S. tariff policies, warning that the EU should not hesitate to utilize its anti-coercion tools. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the sovereignty and integrity of Greenland and Danish territory are "non-negotiable" and called the proposed additional tariffs a mistake.
Simultaneously, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves called for all parties to remain calm, while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed firm support for Greenland and Denmark.
Trump recently posted an AI-generated image on social media depicting the American flag covering Greenland and disclosed private messages from Macron. According to reports, Trump stated at a White House press conference on Tuesday that he would not attend an emergency G7 leaders' meeting recently proposed by Macron in Paris.
This public disagreement highlights the uncertainty in U.S.-Europe relations during Trump's second term and tests the stance of traditional allies on issues of trade wars and territorial sovereignty.
California Governor Newsom expressed strong dissatisfaction at the Davos forum regarding European leaders' failure to resist Trump's demands on Greenland. This leading contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination told media that Europeans are being "played" by Trump, and their efforts to negotiate with him are "not diplomacy, but foolishness."
Newsom stated, "It's time to get serious and stop being complicit," claiming he could not tolerate this complicit attitude, with "people constantly yielding. I should bring knee pads for all world leaders... It's pathetic."
Newsom compared Trump to a "Tyrannosaurus Rex," stating there are only two outcomes when dealing with him: either cooperate with him or be devoured by him. He warned that if Europeans continue dealing with Trump in their current manner, they risk being devoured. He indicated that European leaders should have adopted a tougher stance a year ago when Trump returned to the White House, and they are now paying the price.
"He's like a T-Rex. You either work with him, or he eats you, one or the other. If Europeans continue down this path, they might get eaten." "They need to stand up straight, hold their ground, and be united. Listen, we should have had this conversation a year ago, but they didn't." "Now you are paying the price – any objective observer would have expected us to get here."
Newsom often suggests that American politicians who cozy up to Trump should be equipped with knee pads; he even sells knee pads printed with Trump's signature on his own website.
In his speech at Davos, French President Macron issued warnings against the "law of the strong" and "imperial ambitions," seen as veiled criticism of Trump's foreign policy.
Macron stated that the world is "shifting towards a world without rules, where international law is trampled, and the only thing that seems to matter is the law of the strong."
Macron criticized U.S. demands on mutual trade, whose sole purpose is to "weaken and subjugate Europe." He denounced the "endless accumulation of new tariffs as fundamentally unacceptable – especially when used as leverage against territorial sovereignty."
Addressing U.S. tariff threats, Macron warned that U.S. tariffs on European countries could force the EU to use its Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI) against an ally for the "first time." He said, "Can you imagine? It's crazy," emphasizing that the ACI "is a powerful tool, and in today's severe environment, we should not hesitate to use it."
Macron also called for Europe to reduce its investments in overseas bonds. The EU is currently a major buyer of U.S. Treasury bonds, which might suggest Europe holds further leverage in countering the U.S.
Trump previously posted on social media text messages sent to him by Macron, which showed Macron proposing a G7 leaders' meeting after the Davos forum and questioning what Trump was "actually doing on the Greenland issue." Macron stated he did not intend to speak with Trump.
According to reports, Macron's side subsequently confirmed the authenticity of Trump's post, stating Macron had sent a "private message" to Trump proposing a G7 leaders' meeting in Paris and inviting Russia to attend.
European Commission President von der Leyen stated at Davos on Tuesday that the sovereignty and integrity of Greenland and Danish territory are "non-negotiable" and announced increased support for Arctic region security.
Von der Leyen said, "We are preparing a major surge in European investment for Greenland. We will work with Greenland and Denmark to see how we can further support the local economy and infrastructure." She added, "We will cooperate with the U.S. and all partners on broader Arctic security issues."
She cited Finland's sale of an icebreaker to the U.S. as an example, indicating that "our northern NATO members possess Arctic operational capabilities," and that "Arctic security can only be achieved through joint efforts."
Regarding the tariffs Trump threatened over Greenland, von der Leyen stated, "That is why the proposed additional tariffs are a mistake, especially among long-term allies." She emphasized, "We see the American people not only as our allies but also as our friends; letting us fall into a vicious spiral only helps the adversaries we are all committed to stopping."
Von der Leyen stated that Europe's response to the threats faced by Greenland would be "firm, united, and proportionate." In her speech, she also emphasized that due to current "geopolitical shocks," Europe needs "a new form of independence."
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves, at a Bloomberg event in Davos, called for all parties to remain calm. She stated, "I just want to urge people to keep a cool head. This is what we have been doing over the last year, and it has actually worked quite well. All our focus is on de-escalation, not on worst-case scenarios."
Reeves joined European politicians calling for calm regarding the Greenland crisis before Trump's arrival in Davos on Wednesday. She expressed belief that the UK's economic growth plan is correct and emphasized that joining the EU customs union is not under consideration. She reiterated, "I believe in free and fair trade."
Canadian Prime Minister Carney, speaking at the World Economic Forum, stated that "the old order is not coming back," and urged "middle powers" to unite. He said, "Middle powers must act together because if we are not at the table, we will be on the menu."
While Carney did not name Trump, some remarks seemed directed at the U.S. President, stating that "major powers" have begun "using economic integration as a weapon, tariffs as leverage, financial infrastructure as a means of coercion, and supply chains as vulnerabilities to exploit."
Carney confirmed Canada's support for Greenland, Denmark, and the NATO alliance, a statement which garnered applause. He stated, "Our commitment to Article 5 is unwavering."
The Article 5 Carney referred to is the North Atlantic Treaty's collective defense clause. It stipulates that "an armed attack against one or more of the Parties shall be considered an attack against them all."
According to Canadian media reports, Canada is considering deploying a small military contingent to Greenland to participate in military exercises in the region alongside Danish and other European forces.
On Tuesday afternoon Beijing time, corresponding to early Tuesday morning U.S. Eastern Time, Trump posted two AI-generated images on his social media platform.
One depicted him speaking with European leaders in the Oval Office, with a map of the Western Hemisphere in the background showing the U.S. flag covering the United States, Canada, Venezuela, and Greenland. Another AI-generated image showed Trump raising the American flag in a snowy mountain landscape, with a corner insignia reading "Greenland U.S. Territory Established 2026."
Late Monday night, Trump also publicly disclosed a private text message sent to him by Macron. A screenshot of the message showed Macron writing, "I don't understand what you are actually doing on the Greenland issue." He addressed Trump as "my friend," stated he was "aligned" with Trump on Syria and Iran, but could not comprehend his rationale on Greenland. Macron proposed a meeting of major industrialized nation leaders this week in Paris and invited Trump to dinner in the French capital.
Trump also shared a friendly text message from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Rutte wrote, "I am committed to finding a way forward on Greenland." He addressed Trump as "Dear Donald," seemed to praise his actions on Syria, Gaza, and Ukraine, and promised to highlight the President's work during media events at Davos.
Trump earlier revealed on social media that he had a good call with Rutte about Greenland and agreed to meet in Davos. He posted, "It's a done deal – everyone agrees on this!"
Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel, in a media interview on Tuesday, stated that global leaders must "take into account" that Trump might publicly post private messages they send him, calling it part of Trump's "new diplomacy."
Trump told media on Monday evening that he would meet with "all parties" during the World Economic Forum in Davos this week to discuss the Greenland issue, expecting the event to be "very interesting." He stated he did not expect European allies to "overreact" to his Greenland ambitions.
Reports on Monday mentioned that Trump declined to reveal whether he would use military force to seize Greenland.
Trump also reversed his position on the UK's plan to transfer the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean to Mauritius, calling it an act of "great stupidity" that highlighted the necessity for the U.S. to seize Greenland.
The Chagos Archipelago hosts a joint UK-U.S. military base. A UK government spokesperson defended the agreement, stating it ensured the base's operation.
Trump also hinted at possible 200% tariffs on French wine and champagne, seemingly attempting to pressure Macron to join a Gaza "peace committee" he established. European leaders are scheduled to hold an emergency meeting on Thursday to weigh their response to Trump's tariff threats.
