How should world leaders react to Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum? | DW New

Greenland Acquisition & Davos 2024: A Summary of Discussions

Key Concepts:

• Greenland Acquisition: Donald Trump’s expressed interest in the United States acquiring Greenland.
• Anti-Coercion Instrument: A potential EU tool to counter economic pressure from external actors, potentially including the US.
• Leverage & Pushback: The strategy of combining firm resistance with continued dialogue in dealing with President Trump.
• NATO Alliance Fallout: The potential negative consequences for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization if the US pursues the Greenland acquisition.
• Domestic Costs: The potential economic impact on the American public (inflation, tariffs) resulting from a conflict over Greenland.

1. The Greenland Issue Dominates Davos Agenda

The impending arrival of US President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, was overshadowed by his repeated statements regarding the potential acquisition of Greenland. This topic dominated early discussions, with leaders grappling with how to respond to Trump’s assertions. Trump himself, when questioned about his willingness to pursue the acquisition, responded cryptically with, “You’ll find out.”

2. US Administration’s Stance on Greenland

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant publicly affirmed President Trump’s seriousness regarding Greenland, urging observers to “take a deep breath” and listen to Trump’s rationale. He suggested that European leaders might be persuaded by Trump’s arguments. This contrasts with the general skepticism expressed by other leaders.

3. European Response & Concerns

French President Emanuel Macron and EU Chief Ursula Vonda Lion offered mild resistance to Trump’s territorial claims. However, California Governor Gavin Newsom strongly criticized European leaders for what he perceived as capitulation to Trump, stating, “I can’t take this complicity…people rolling over…it’s just pathetic.” He accused them of offering “Nobel prizes” to appease Trump. Newsom’s comments highlight a growing frustration with perceived weakness in the face of Trump’s assertive foreign policy.

4. Strategic Approaches to Countering Trump’s Plans

A discussion with the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) revealed a nuanced approach to dealing with Trump’s Greenland ambitions. The expert emphasized that simple flattery or tough talk alone are ineffective. Instead, a combination of firm pushback and continued dialogue is necessary. Specifically, the expert suggested:

• Unified Statements: Demonstrating political unity behind Denmark.
• Strengthened NATO & Arctic Posture: Reinforcing the alliance’s presence in the Arctic region.
• Economic Leverage: Utilizing the EU’s “anti-coercion instrument” to threaten tariffs and limit market access for the US if it proceeds with the acquisition. This is intended to increase the costs of the operation, both internationally and domestically for the US.

5. The Role of Economic Costs & Domestic Pressure

The ECFR expert highlighted that unlike some other initiatives, the Greenland acquisition lacks broad support within the US, even among Trump’s base, Congress, or his cabinet. The key to potentially deterring Trump lies in making the costs of the acquisition visible and credible, particularly the potential for increased prices and inflation in the US due to retaliatory tariffs. The expert questioned whether Trump is truly attuned to the economic concerns of average Americans (“what people are paying for eggs and milk and meat?”).

6. Assessing Trump’s Credibility & Past Behavior

The expert noted that Trump signaled a willingness to compromise with NATO before boarding Air Force One for Davos, suggesting his threats shouldn’t be taken as absolute inevitabilities. Drawing a parallel to the Venezuela situation, the expert suggested Trump’s actions are often driven by a sense of empowerment and a belief he can act with impunity. The success of a pushback strategy hinges on whether Trump perceives significant costs – internationally, to the NATO alliance, and domestically.

7. A Shift in Global Norms & the Davos Showdown

The discussion concluded with the observation that the Greenland issue represents a broader “rupture” in the international system of rules, norms, collective prosperity, and security. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s speech was cited as evidence of this shift. While a complete resolution isn’t guaranteed, it was anticipated that some form of agreement would emerge from the Davos meetings to de-escalate tensions.

8. Technical Considerations & Logistics

The initial delay in Trump’s arrival in Davos was attributed to a “small electrical issue” with Air Force One, requiring a return to Joint Base Andrews. The expert also pointed out the relative ease of a potential US military operation in Greenland, as American military presence there is currently uncontested.

Notable Quotes:

• Gavin Newsom: “I can’t take this complicity…people rolling over…it’s just pathetic.”
• Scott Bessant: “Take a deep breath. Do not have this reflexive anger…why don’t they sit down, wait for President Trump to get here and listen to his argument.”
• ECFR Expert: “European leaders have learned the hard way that just flattery and persuasion doesn’t work with President Trump and that you need to show strength and push back.”

Conclusion:

The discussions surrounding Trump’s interest in Greenland at Davos 2024 reveal a complex geopolitical situation. The prevailing strategy for European leaders appears to be a calculated approach of combining firm resistance with continued dialogue, leveraging economic pressure to raise the costs of the acquisition for the US, and appealing to domestic concerns within the United States. The situation underscores a broader shift in international relations and a challenge to established norms, with the outcome remaining uncertain.