It’s fair to say that European officials, from prime ministers to entry-level assistants, were watching with trepidation the much-anticipated speech of Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. With tensions over Greenland at an all-time high, many feared the intervention would further escalate the unprecedented crisis with a sudden announcement, threat or ultimatum.
Fortunately for Europeans, there was nothing particularly new in the speech and the sense of relief in the room in Davos was palpable, our reporters on the ground noted.
Trump repeated his claims about making NATO “safer” through the acquisition of Greenland and called on Europe to engage in negotiations to make the transaction happen. Crucially, he also said he did not want to use military force to achieve his objective, unlike previous times when he had pointedly refused to rule out that option.
“We want a piece of ice for world protection and they (Europeans) won’t give it,” Donald Trump said about Greenland, which he confused with Iceland several times. “They have a choice: you can say yes and we’ll be very appreciative, and you can say no and we will remember.”
Trump also made sure to clarify, in case there was any doubt, that he had “tremendous respect” for the people of Denmark and Greenland, while casting doubt on NATO’s ability to come to the rescue to the mineral-rich island in the event of an armed attack.
His speech also featured denunciations of Europe’s regulation, renewable energy, migration trends and economic performance, all of which have been voiced by his officials, most notably Vice President JD Vance, in numerous occasions in the past. He mocked Emmanuel Macron’s aviator glasses and bitterly attacked his host country, Switzerland.
“I love Europe, and I want to see Europe do good, but it’s not heading in the right direction,” he said shortly after taking the stage.
By contrast, in the Q&A session, he lavished praise on Chinese President Xi Jinping, calling him “an incredible man”.
Credit: Associated Press.
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